WW - My Last Preggo Post

So today is the day before I become the mother to my daughter. The last full day of my pregnancy with the little girl that I am now counting the hours until I meet.

Let's take a little walk down Preggo Lane, shall we?

Me at 16 Weeks - a.k.a - the week I "popped!"


Happy in a newly acquired dress, around 20 weeks.

Kinda "pointy" at 27 weeks.


32 Weeks and still workin' the dress!


The full on belly at 34 weeks. (if you look really close you can see my one stretch mark, please don't look really close...)
Picture taken LAST night on the eve of 39 weeks:


And a (very blurry) bonus pic of my "Wall-E" feet, as Tim and I have been calling them. Last night they were especially enlarged.


I may post something tomorrow night and find some old things to "re-post" while I'm out recovering but otherwise, this is probably the last post until I let Tim hijack the place to post some pics of OUR BABY GIRL!!!! WHEE!

I can't wait to share her with you all! : D

Go see Angie for more WordFUL Wednesday...

Do They Teach "Heart-String Pulling" in School?

Yesterday morning we all over-slept a little.

The B Man (who really needs some time to play in the mornings before school) only had 25 minutes to eat breakfast, get dressed and get ready to go. Not good.

Little G was ALL outta sorts because I was in a huge hurry (didn't pack lunch the night before like I usually do...) and I didn't let him do something for himself. Let the waterworks commence.

I felt exhausted and a little dizzy too, after lifting myself too hurriedly from the bed.

Thankfully Tim had a later dentist appointment that morning and said he could stay with G while I drove B to school. I know it sounds crazy, but it's just easier to take him without the toddler. As he bailed out of the car at drop off he shot me back a look like "It's Monday, isn't it?" and I remembered the few days as a little girl when I myself did not want to go to school (they were few and far between though...). As I watched him walk away with his 'almost bigger than me' backpack I kinda wanted to stop, roll down the window and honk at him to come back. But of course I didn't. And he went on his merry way to his classroom.

When I got back home I had just enough time to inhale a bowl of cereal, prepare G's lunch, get him dressed and ready and brush my own hair and get him to MDO. I could tell as I was strapping him into his car seat that he was not keen on going to school either. While I drove he blabbered on behind me about going to the playground and eating lunch and changing his diapers and playing blocks and I tried to positively reinforce that yes, all those things would happen while he was at "school" today.

I knew his drop off would be a little hairy so I had already resigned myself to 'hanging out' with him for a little bit in the room. We opened up a big bin of blocks and started to build a tower together and then I told him it was time for Mommy to go. He started to fuss and then looked up at me with tears in his big gray eyes and said, "Mommy, will you come back for me?"

It was at that moment that my heart crumbled into a kazillion little pieces and I wanted to scoop him up and go back and pick up his brother too and return home with them and sit on the sofa with one on each side of me and just 'be.'

But alas, I did not and they were fine and I had errands and grocery shopping and stuff I needed to do.

Part of me still wishes I could have done that yesterday though.

Part of me wishes they were still tiny and that I could go back to the days before all the morning hustle and bustle.

I'm doing a lot of wishing lately...

I Wish...

Not too long ago my friend Maria at Bored Mommy posted a list which she titled "I Wish." I hope she doesn't mind that I'm borrowing her idea today...

... for it to be Thursday (THIS Thursday).

... for everything to go well on Thursday.

... for baby K to be healthy (I also pray for this every day).

... for the baby weight to melt right off (hey, a girl can dream!).

... for breastfeeding to work out well again.

... for Little G to be good around the baby.

... for the hospital food to be decent.

... for world peace (just thought I'd throw that in...).

... for the closing on our TX house to go through as it's supposed to in mid October.

... for people to be nicer to each other in this world and think before they speak.

... to be able to go shoe shopping again.

... for baby K to be a good sleeper like her brothers (did I just jinx myself?)

... for ice cream to have no calories (no one said they all had to be realistic!).

... for cooler weather.

... for my children's future to be bright.

... for my husband and I not to forget our 10th anniversary in early November (it's a good possibility you know...).

... for my friends and family to know how much I love them (I do y'all!).

... for THIS Thursday to be here (oh wait, I said that already, didn't I?).

So what are you wishing for today? Please feel free to share. I want to know!

Random at its Best

Watching Grey's makes me want to visit Seattle, and Oregon and Boston and Maine and Chicago (again) and Montana and Niagra Falls and Toronto and all kinds of other North American places I have yet to go or have visited too briefly. Don't ask me why, it just does.

Does anyone else visualize themselves "picking up" the clutter before they actually do it? Or follow their husband around in the kitchen while he cooks, picking up every piece of trash and putting dishes in the sink and things back in the fridge? Hypothetically of course.

Today I bought the most darling little pink bow to put in Baby K's hair for her first pictures, coming home from the hospital, etc. I also bought a pair of frilly white socks with pink trim to put on her tiny feet. I keep visualizing that tiny bow on her sweet little head.

I've been smothering my boys a little more lately with hugs and kisses because I know that my "quality" time with them will be limited soon, for a little while at least. Against my better judgment I've been laying down with Little G at nap time (although since I'm tired myself, I have at least one good reason) and when The B Man tries to get too "uptight" about something, like he likes to tend to do, I just tell him I love him. Oh and then I hug and kiss him and then reach for G and tickle his legs.

I'm currently wearing my husbands XL "Trix are for Kids" t-shirt. It's very comfortable and most things just ARE NOT these days. So I may wear it the rest of the week. Don't judge me.

I secretly wish I would go into labor before my C-section next week. It's just that I never have before. I was induced with The B Man and had a section with G. I would kinda like to have that experience, that's all. But I'm guessing I won't and I'll be okay with it. I'm just sayin'.

Little G and I went to lunch at Jason's Deli together yesterday and I ate a TON of the banana pudding off of the 'salad' bar. It was SO good. And he ate a huge ice cream cone. Oh and we did have some other food before that... like, healthier stuff.

Tim brought dinner home last night because I just COULDN'T cook. He brought home Raising Cane's chicken fingers, a local fast food place that serves ONLY chicken fingers and a few sides. They are SO good. There's no turning back now, I've had them and will have them again and again, even though they are not that good for me. Chicken's good though, right?

Apparently I'm all about food right now.

Is Fall here yet (yes, technically, but not really down South) because I want pumpkin pie. With a really big dollop of real whipped cream.

Yep, all about food.

and having a baby

and my kids.

I am ME.

Happy weekend everyone. It's our last one without our girl. Thank God.

My Granny Had Moxie

My Granny had Moxie*
Oh yes She did
I knew this fact
even as a kid

She could kill a snake
with her cane**
And act like she
was never in pain

She always stood up for
what she believed
And was so thankful
for all she received

At times her life
was really hard
Cotton fields were her
"backyard"

She loved God like
no one else I know
And had a spirit she
was not afraid to show

She adored her family
and made it known
Our visits made her
feel less alone

I still miss her, every day
but I know she's
with the Lord
and there to stay

But her Moxie lives on
within her granddaughter
And for that I will always be
so thankful to her...

* Moxie is defined as the ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage; bold energy

**True story

This poem was written about my paternal Grandmother for today's carnival at Mama's Losin' It, during Around the Blogosphere in 5 Days.

Hosted by:
Better in Bulk
Mama’s Losin’ It
Mayhem & Moxie
Scary Mommy
& 7 Clown Circus

38 Weeks is a LONG Time

I kinda felt like just hiding in the shadows yesterday.

The only reasons I left the house was to pick The B Man up from school and return a DVD from the library, all in one trip.

I showered late and didn't eat very much. There's not that much room left.

My body is tired and big and crampy and hormonal and yes, there was some crying.

Tim came home later than usual and although the boys were being pretty good, I needed a break from them and their constant energetic selves.

Dinner was one of those frozen casseroles, popped in the oven. All I had to do was hit a few buttons and open and close the door.

I'm running out of steam.

Is this a pity party? Maybe, but not really meant to be. Just the facts.

I'm so ready and a little sorry to be wishing my life away... but I am. Baby day just can't get here fast enough...

Sonograms are Better Nowadays, Right?

I've been wrapped up in expecting a girl.

The clothes, the bows, the PINK, the polka dots (I love me some polka dots!), the idea of dressing MY child in a DRESS and it being well, APPROPRIATE.

I went to our new dentist this morning and the hygienist (who's probably in her early '50's) felt the need to share with me her 'they told me my second was a girl three times and she came out a BOY' story. Yeah, don't do that to me lady.

Admittedly, I would be somewhat devastated INITIALLY if that happened on October 1st. I would have to re-decorate and I would mourn the loss of all the baby boy clothes I gave away. Oh AND? I would have to re-name my child.

However, if for some CUH-RAZY reason it did, I would still love that baby to the moon and back, just as I do my other two boys.

I mean how could you NOT love faces and sweet BOYS like these??


Yeah, that's what I thought.

Sure they have their moments and "FART" is pretty much the most favored word around here lately, but I wouldn't trade 'em for all the chocolate in the world. And that's saying something people.

They do like to get a little attitude every now and again though, and 'gang' up on me at snack time.
"Yo, Momma, you gonna get us somethin' to eat or not?? C'mon lady, we're hungry here!!"


(...please be a girl, please be a girl, please....)

;-)

P.S. You see my counter over there? Subtract 6 days from it. Yeah that's right - 9 days, only 9 days...

What I Will Miss About Being Pregnant

As much as I've been complaining about my cankles and tiredness lately, I will miss being pregnant for a few reasons...

Eating Whatever I Want Whenever I Want
Yep, that's what I do when I'm pregnant. Of course the first trimester was kinda dicey but after that, it's Katy Bar the Pantry Door! (and the fridge door and the drive-thru window...) I try to eat healthily but if I have a craving for something that is not so, I will indulge it. And thank the good Lord above that I have a husband who doesn't mind getting me what I want when I want it. Smart man. So yeah, I will miss this. Since I plan to breastfeed I will probably still be eating more calories than I normally would for a little while, but milkshakes galore may have to come off the list of things to eat. Notice I said "may..."

The Baby Moving Inside
Besides the occasional semi-painful rib and bladder kick, I love feeling the baby inside my belly. It really is just the coolest thing ever and I feel badly for men, that they never get to experience such a thing. And no guys, bad indigestion does not count! (which also makes me what to say "WHATEVER!!" to the women who never know their pregnant until they're laying on a table screaming their brains out because that is SO very ridiculous - could you not FEEL the human being in THERE????) Ahem. Sorry, that just really bakes my noodle. I mean who doesn't KNOW their pregnant until B-Day??

People Asking What Gender the Baby Is
I actually have a love/hate relationship with this one. While it is fun to answer that I am having a girl (because it just IS!), when I say it when out with my two boys in tow, everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, breathes a sigh of relief like I just told them that "NO, the world is NOT going to end today." Like as if having another boy would just be the worst thing that could ever happen to me/us. I'm truly tempted to fib and say it's a boy just to see what reaction I get.

And, well, that's about all I will miss. I hope y'all weren't expecting some long drawn out list because honestly, at this point, that's all I got. I think the list of things that I will not miss is longer (and includes the swelling, exhaustion, people staring at my belly and not even looking me in the eye, painful boobies, peeing a lot, heartburn, stretch marks, waking up multiple times at night {oh wait, that's still going to happen isn't it?}, blah, blah, blah). Don't you just love how I sneaked these into this post? Yeah, I'm sly like that.



On a different but VERY exciting note, go over and check out Around the Blogosphere in 5 Days, hosted by Moxie Media (which I am a member of...). You won't be sorry that you did. It's going to be a fun week!


Also, my baby/toddler book giveaway is still going on. Just leave a comment to enter HERE. There will be TWO winners! : )

Sunday Citar - Down By The Sea

Some days I just LONG to be at the ocean or the sea. It's the ultimate in beauty to me and it calms and relaxes me like nothing else I've found in this world. Today is one of those days...

I left my soul there,
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living free

I left my soul there,
Down by the sea
I lost control with you,
And living, living,
And I, living, by the sea

-Lyrics by Morcheeba



*This is my first time to join in on Sunday Citar. Please click the button up top to join.

Rewards & Awards

The rewards of blogging are numerous. I've made SO very many connections through this site that I never thought possible or even dreamed of when I started writing in this space almost three years ago. I've been uplifted by the heartfelt comments left here and I've nodded my head voraciously at other posts I've read about motherhood and parenting and child rearing. And, I've been known to pour my heart out in another blogger's comment section (or two...)

I've made new IRL friends and there are people I consider friends even though I have yet to hug them in person.

Obviously Blog Her was an amazing experience, although looking back I didn't get to meet some of the people I really wished I had. One of those people was a sweet lady whose blog is Look, It's Megryansmom. When I finally did get on-line on the Saturday of Blog Herfor a while she was twittering about something and it occurred to me that we had yet to run into each other. And unfortunately, we never did that weekend. We should have arranged a meet up but for whatever reason, it just didn't happen.

A few weeks back she emailed me and said she'd be happy to make a custom 'taggie' for the baby and that she did. It's a bright, fleecy little 'lovey' that I'm sure the baby will love to snuggle up to and play with. Isn't it so cute? I love the bright colors.


Thank you so much my friend! : ) And if I'm at Blog Her '10 and you are too, we are SO meeting. Understand?!?

Also recently my blog friend Chelle let me know that a friend of hers (through blogging), Lauranie, was right here in our new town. Lauranie makes darling totes and tutus and all kinds of cute things and because I saw her talent on her blog and was in need of such services, she is going to make a bed skirt for the baby's crib. We went shopping together for fabric the other day and also, now I have another friend in town! Who's a blogger! How cool is that? So thanks Chelle and so glad to know you Lauranie!


I've also gotten a couple of awards lately from some of my blog/twitter friends and they probably thought I would NEVER post about them but I'm posting one now so YAY for me!

Maria from Bored Mommy awarded me with the Superior Scribbler Award. Aw, I just love it! Mucho Gracias Maria (or whatever the Greek is for 'Thanks A lot!) ; )



The award rules:

1. Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass on the award to 5 the most deserving blogs.

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received the award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display the award on his/her blog, and link to this post, which explains the award.

4. Each blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we’ll be able tokeep up-to-date on everyone who receives this prestigious honor!

5. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

I am passing this award on to these fine ladies and one gent:

Heather at The Extraordinary Ordinary

Jay at Halftime Lessons

Susan at Warm Chocolate Milk (she's newer to this gig so go welcome her!)

Stacey at Is there any mommy out there?

Live. Laugh. pull your hair out.



And now I'm TIRED and don't have the energy to post about the other award but I promise to get to it soon Erin (hopefully before baby is born...)

So there are just some of the 'rewards & awards' of blogging for me, as of late...

I Gotta Get This Off My Chest

I'm not even going to say their names but just know, that I want them off my t.v. and the cover of all the magazines at the grocery store. My husband expressed a similar sentiment the other day and used some very 'choice' words while doing so. Yes, their show was cute at first and it was fascinating to watch people with 8 kids, 6 born at the same time but now? With all the craziness in their lives (and honestly, I DON'T really care who's at fault at this point), it's SO over as far as I'm concerned. I'm tired of her weirdo haircut and his smug mug smoking cigarettes and looking like a louse of a father. Enough already. Buh-bye.

I watched most of the VMAs the other night only because my friends on twitter made me do it. So yes, I saw Kanye's ridiculousness along with Lady Gaga's and her crazy, weird outfits. Is this what we've come to now? People have to be just OUTRAGEOUS to get attention and even pretend to hang themselves on stage at an AWARDS show? I know, sure she's an artist, blah, blah, blah. I can appreciate that as a past performer myself. But isn't she just a skosh over the top? Like I tweeted, I'd take Madonna and her pointy cone bra over all that junk any day. Ah the good ole days...

The show did redeem itself a little by having Taylor Swift perform her song with CLASS. At least there was that.

And on another pop culture note, there are people who are "celebrities" (using the term VERY lightly) these days that I don't even understand WHY OH WHY they are famous or sought after or even where the hell they came from. Like the Kardashian people. I mean really, WHO are you?????? And why do you have a show in which you are texting on your blackberry while your sister is in jail for DWI? And why in the world do I care??? (p.s. I just saw a preview for that, did NOT actually watch it...)

Sometimes I sit back and see all this stuff and think about it and wonder, "Why is ANYONE watcthing this stuff?" when we have HUGE problems in this world that need to be addressed and these people are clogging up the air waves with their full-on silliness and self-absorbed lives. That's why I truly respect people like Brad and Angelina who are actually out there, helping others and don't get caught up in all this other junk. Oh and not to mention, they actually have talent.

I'm kinda blaming a lot of this on the phenomenon that is the reality show. It really is crazy, isn't it? How we can sit mesmerized by OTHER people's (edited) lives. Sure, it can be a desired escape from our own lives at times but personally, except for American Idol (hey, we all have our vices), I'm pretty much done with that genre of t.v. Ok fine, I'll be watching Dancing with the Stars too but only for the dancing. I do love the dancing.

But these shows like "The REAL Housewives of New York" make me want to puke. There is absolutely NOTHING real about their "house wife"ness at. all. PLEASE!!! Come on over to my house and film me with my makeup-less face, swollen feet and hand covered in toddler snot. Yeah, I dare you. Not glamorous at all, is it? That's because it's ACTUAL REAL REALITY. But that's not nearly as enticing, now is it?

And I blame the"No-you-are-not-really-talented-in-any-way-but-your-daddy-has-alot-of-money-and-so-you-mingle-with-ACTUAL-celebrities-and-get-noticed" phenomenon on Paris Hilton and for that I despise her. She may not have been the pioneer but she's the best example I can think of at this time.

I really wish some of these people would just go away. Is that so wrong?

Okay, I'm done ranting. For now.

*This post has been brought to you by a tired, cranky pregnant woman who is just really ready to have her body back and to meet her baby girl. Thank you for reading, if you did.

WW - Proof that I can blog about something else besides being preggo & my HUGE swollen feet

I filled up this humming bird feeder a few weeks ago and it didn't take them very long to find it. I took this picture 2 weeks ago and now it is empty! And I stalked these little buggars like crazy to get this picture, lemme tell ya!

I just love that I can see many types of birds right outside my kitchen windows (which is where this is hanging), especially since at our old house all I could see was a brick wall and the neighbors A/C unit.

As an aside I had a good day yesterday. I knew THREE other moms at the library when I took Little G for story time (due in part to the fact that I joined the local Moms Club) and I met up with a local blogging friend (who I will highlight later this week...) that is going to make a bed skirt for the baby's crib. I actually feel like we are settling in more here. And that feels really good.

WorderFUL Wednesday HQ is over at Seven Clown Circus. Check it out!

Also, enter my giveaway for 2 cute baby/toddler books here, just by leaving a comment!

A Giveaway - Darling Children's Books!

We love books around here, especially books for babies and children (at least at this phase in our lives!). Tim is from a family of avid readers, book sellers, and his mother recently retired from her career as a children' librarian. We've been lucky to be able to borrow many books from her and been given so many great books as gifts from her parents, who used to own their own childrens book store.

When I was given the opportunity to review and give away two of author Sandra Magsamen's books I was excited. Although I did not know of her before-hand, after a quick search on Amazon I found many cute titles and some I even recognized from my previous book store perusals.

The two books we are received were

My Little Monkey

and Little Bear Hugs.A Little about the books, "They are the newest additions to Sandra Magsamen's award winning Snuggle-Me Stories series. Featuring a small fleece blanket with an attached plush monkey and teddy bear, babies and loved ones will love to read and play along with the sweet rhyming story, which delivers heartfelt sentiments of love. With playful words and illustrations, these titles are sure to become a favorite for cozy shared lap time reading. "

Little G loved flipping through the books and pointing out the monkey and bear and they are now in the basket of books by his bed and the bear and Monkey mini-blankets are on his bed with his other "stuffies".

The stories are OH so sweet and simple and geared toward ages newborn to 3. And since we start reading pretty darn early to our kiddos, they will be perfect for the baby too!

Now for the really good part - The Giveaway!

Two of my readers/commenters will receive a set (one of each book) of the Snuggle-Me stories. They will be wonderful for ANY baby in your life, whether for your own sweet one or given as a gift to friends or family!

To enter:

1. Leave a comment with one of your favorite children's books. If your comment just says something like "pick me" I will delete it.

2. For 1 extra entry tweet about this giveaway and leave another comment with a link to your tweet.

Giveaway ends Friday, September 25th at midnight (CST) when I will choose 2 winners via Random. org.

Good Luck and thanks for entering! : )

Boys 'N Belly

I've had the idea for a while that I wanted some professional 'belly pics' during this pregnancy. I've never had any done before and this time I wanted to do it, if possible. I had my photographer picked out (because she's awesome and she's photographed our family twice in the past) until......We moved.

Once we got to La., I looked on-line for someone and found a couple of potential photographers but let's just say, none of them worked out, including the one who said she could do it last Saturday and then never emailed me again (WTH?). She even has a blog and is really lucky that I am not linking to it. Take that, Missy!

So, at this point, I've pretty much accepted that this isn't going to happen. Which is fine, I don't really want to shell out the clams for it at this point anyway.

BUT.

I still wanted some pics of me and the boys and the baby belly, so I enlisted my very reluctant but knows how much it means to me husband to assist in my endeavor. He does not usually like to be behind the camera. It's just NOT his thing.

So, how'd it go, you ask?

Let me illustrate for you...

At first Little G wanted NOTHING to do with our impromptu photo shoot. But I had asked The B Man earlier in the day if he would be willing to take some pictures with me and he was quite sure that would be just fine with him.


It did however, totally crack me up when he had the notion to lift his shirt as well!


And when Little G realized that belly exposure was a free for all? He was 'in' too!


So he scurried on over and began to slap the baby belly...


Which is when I realized that he had a ton of snot leaking out of his nose and proceeded to wipe it with my hand (thanks so much honey for capturing this on the camera for posterity - you really ARE a wonderful photographer!)


He did settle down a little and we were getting closer...
And then the very last shot hubby took was this one below and he declared our session DONE.


Hey, all hands are on deck and everyone's looking at the camera. I declare it a Success!! : )

Gettin' Ready - PSF

Above the crib it says "Every child is a story yet to be told"

The other day The B Man helped me unpack packages of pink and purple and flowered onesies and hooded towels and sleepers and tiny socks. All the while telling me how much of a help he is going to be when "baby K" gets here. The basket was a sea of girly-ness.

Yesterday Little G helped me put them in the washer while standing on his trusty little white chair that he not only uses to assist me with laundry, but also for standing by the sink to wash his dirty, little boy hands.

Once they were dry I folded them, layed them in the basket and carried them down the hall. I opened the recently vacated drawers (where Little G's things used to be) and filled them up with his baby sister's things and there they sit, waiting to go on her tiny little self.

I traded out the pale yellow sheet for a bright pink one and hung up some of the 'fancier' outfits in the closet.

And once we find the drapery rod that seems to have grown legs and walked away (oh the joys of moving!), we will hang the valances I have for the window in her room.

Today, at my 36 week check-up my doctor said that she's hanging out pretty low but I am not dilated at all.

Only three more weeks until we meet her and I'm getting so very anxious. I'm ready to do this thing already. I know I probably sound like a broken record lately but I just AM.


Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

ANOTHER First Day

Forget the fact that I forgot to take Little G's picture until AFTER his first day of school was over.

Ok, the actual day wasn't over but his 'first day' was. And it technically wasn't even a day since they started with just a half day and he only went until noon (normal schedule will be until 2:30).

Am I rambling?

Why yes, Elaine, you are!

Oh wellsies...

So anyway, this picture was taken AFTER I brought him home and no, he would NOT put the book down. He's so studious already...

Next week he begins his schedule of two full days a week and I've already scheduled a dentist appointment and one to get my hair done as well. Gotta make hay while the sun shines! And it's not much longer until the term "free time" will mean very little to me for a while. So, I have SIX 'free' days until baby comes. Can y'all believe I'm opting to spend some of that time at the dentist? Yes, I do value my oral hygiene THAT MUCH.

When we pulled in the parking lot yesterday morning he said, "Dis my school?!" When I affirmed that it was he said "Okay, me go to school like Ben?" God I love that kid. So cute.

And when I picked him up he only came running to me once he finished his Lego-building project. The teacher reported that there was just a little crying (and she thinks he did only because the other kids were...), ate all his lunch and played a lot. That's my boy!

So another 'first day' under our belts. I declare the school year officially OFFICIALLY started. Now let's break out the fall weather (YO! Mother Nature!) and pumpkin bread. Who's ready?

WW - Cousins Rock!

Grace, B Man, Catherine, Daniel, Little G

If someone had told me 20 years ago that my brother Larry and I would have kids close in age that would play together like crazy and enjoy each others company immensely while eating all the forbidden foods that Grandma serves up and make a cute set on my parent's swing on their back porch, well, I never would have believed them. (okay, I would have believed the part about my Mom feeding them junk food...) But guess what?! That IS just the case.

The B Man even completed his maiden voyage (and then several more) biking around the same block that I went around a kazillion times as a child, with his cousin Catherine in the lead, as his protector and guide. And he and Grace were like two peas in a pod.

And Little G and Dan-Dan just make the cutest pair, talking and playing together. It's so sweet to watch.

I wish we could spend even more time with them but of course distance and well, life, just get in the way. I know my boys love the time they spend with their cousins and I cherish these moments for them. Luckily I can preserve them somewhat, here in this space.

P.S. In regards to yesterday's post, the boys were VERY good today. I think they realized that Daddy and I were pretty darn close to selling them on the nearest street corner...

WordFUL Wednesday is hosted by Angie at Seven Clown Circus.

Let's Get Real

My life as a mother is not perfect. Quite far from it actually.

As I type this my toddler is having a full on meltdown and at this point, is headed to bed over an hour early. Along with his older brother.

I don't claim to be the perfect parent and I don't ever think I have all the answers. Some days are better than others. Some days just plain suck.

Tim went out after we got home from our 7 hr. drive back from Austin to do the draft for his Fantasy Football. And I don't begrudge him going (he ALWAYS acquiesces to me going out when I want/need to...) but it was just bad timing. The boys were just in a MOOD today and it was NOT a good one. Little G barely slept in the car and so therefore did not have a decent nap and The B Man... well, his attitude lately leaves A LOT to be desired, no matter what.

I bring all of this up because yes, I am happy and joyful and excited to be bringing another little person into this world, but sometimes my heart and my mind send each other mixed signals. And today?? I wonder if I can do it. I honestly wonder.

Each of my boys is going through something right now. The B Man's I presume, has the most to do with starting school while living in still a fairly new town. And Little G's, I'm guessing has mostly to do with being two. But put 'em together in a room with my tired, overly pregnant self and things can get a little rough.

Of course we have our times where things go well and we talk and laugh and kiss and hug and pray and read together. But we also have moments days where I want to run away screaming and not stop until I get back to Texas. We had about a bazillion of those today.

I feel I can't control The B Man very well these days and most of his retorts come in the form of sass and grunts. I feel like I've failed in the manners department, in the "respect your parents" department. He used to not be like this and now, it hurts me to even look in his beautiful blue eyes sometimes because I feel like he's just angry - at me, at his lot in life (oh the woes of a 5 yr old!!) and even with his father and brother. If he's not upset with me for not letting him have his way, he's upset with his brother for playing with the trains when HE felt he shouldn't be or even mad about what's for dinner. I know it all comes with the territory but it just beats you down after a while, you know?

And Little G is trying so hard to be his own little man already and it's just hard on all of us. Especially him. He talks pretty well now, so I can usually understand him, except when he's gotten himself in such a tizzy over something I consider SO very trivial and he has tears and snot running down his face and I just cannot understand him at all. Yeah, that's hard. There's been some changes for him lately too and since he starts school this week, they just seem to keep coming...

And of course, the BIG ONE that will happen in about 3.5 weeks when little sister gets here. Maybe they are really cluing into the fact that her arrival is imminent and this is all part of it too. But tell me. How am I supposed to take care of her properly when I'm already seemingly overwhelmed with my two guys? I just can't foresee my sanity staying in tact.

Or maybe, just maybe she'll help to calm us all down a bit. Like a little angel. I think we are all a tad on edge, just waiting for this to happen. I pray that is the case.

My C-Section is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1. That's the day we'll meet her and bring her into this "real" and imperfect family. I hope she's ready. I hope we all are.

My Left Side is Tired of Me Sleeping on My Left Side & Other Random Thoughts

Can someone please tell me why it’s SO hard to sleep the month or so before baby is born? Isn’t this when I should be getting some of my best sleep, BEFORE baby gets here? YEESH!

Get a load of my “cankles!!” (no, they are NOT usually this big…) I mean WOAH.



I miss my shoes. I’ve been wearing one pair of flip flops pretty much everywhere I go, even with jeans. (which is usually a no-no in my book) because nothing else fits. I think they miss me too.

In the same vein I’ve reached the point where I am tired of my maternity wardrobe. And at this point, I can kinda understand why muumuus used to be preferred pregnancy outfit. Not that I would EVER go there.

We are driving to Austin this weekend to attend the wedding reception of a friend and visit family. It’s our first drive out there since moving and I am NOT looking forward to all the time in the car. All I gotta say is, God bless the portable DVD player.

The B Man has been drawing like crazy lately. All of the sudden he’s drawing and coloring pictures of all kinds of things, including the entire cast of Sponge Bob (see below). His Patrick is quite good. Actually, they all are. He also drew me an entire ocean today complete with all kinds of sea life. He’s so proud of himself and I love it. OH and I’m totally proud too and love telling him so. (btw, those crazy blue scribbles at the top are his younger brother's 'additions' to the art work)


I think my Little G is cute and WOW, so does the general public. Seriously, we cannot go anywhere without people just fawning over him. Yesterday while out at lunch an elderly lady stopped by our table and said “He is just the most precious thing” and ran her wrinkled hand softly over his hair. It was really so sweet.

Here in Louisiana you have to specify how you want your tea. Sweet or Unsweet. I’m still not used to this. Although not drinking that much tea right now, when I do order it I always forget to say “Unsweet.” Wonder how long it will take until I get in the habit…

I have to water my plants before I leave for the weekend. Y'all help me remember, okay?

I made these cupcakes (well 'pound cakes' according to Martha) on Wednesday and they were quite tasty. They were my first attempt to make something out of the Martha Stewart cupcake cookbook, given to me by this wonderful woman.

Okey Doke. That's all for now.

Enjoy the holiday weekend. Here's to one less day in the carpool line! : )