For a while, I thought this boy looked exactly like his brother. I think it's mostly because when he was born, he looked entirely different, and then he started to look more like his brother. But now I see that he really is his own little man. Don't get me wrong, you would guess they were brothers any day of the week, but it's a variant. I'm also seeing how my daughter looks similar - this wee one has a resemblance to both kids.
Today we went to Friendly's for lunch. We were running late and we were all pretty hungry. Daddy doesn't like Friendly's, and when we eat with him, we don't eat much cheese, so it was a big treat. We all had cheese - grilled cheese and tomato for me, grilled cheese for the girl, and mac n cheese for the boy. The baby boy slept all through so me taking three kids during vacation week was pretty good. They were really well behaved and totally earned their sundaes. ;o)
My sous chef chopping garlic. She does really well with that little plastic knife. I love having her help me prepare things, not just cookies (but we do love that) but regular, healthy food too. She's a very adventurous eater, too, and I think having a hand in things helps.
Dark to set the atmosphere. Because it's valentine's day. We went to a new restaurant (to us) and it was the first non-funereal event without any kids. It was lovely and we ate too much because it was so delicious.
The valentine's balloons at the grocery store. I am thinking of getting some for the kiddos. Who doesn't love balloons?
Snow day pillow fort. M was reading the valentine poem she memorized at school:
I love you more than applesauce,
and peaches and a plum
and chocolate hearts and candy tarts
and berry bubble gum.
Took this because I was scrambling around last night and realized my hair looked just like I wanted it to (minus the bangs that are too long). I like when it's super smooth and a bit flippy. Of course, I can't reliably do it like that on purpose. Oh well.
I have the intermediate pictures but I can't figure out how to get them to post in the right place.
Anyway, M drew a picture "of you momma!!" at Sunday school. What a riot. I love my smile.
I went out to get the mail and the baby was laying on the blanket and the big boy was in another chair. 90 seconds later I returned to the cutest cuddle ever.
Not the best picture, but this tree is almost as old as the house. There's a story about this tree and John Greenleaf Whitter, but I take that with about seventeen grains of salt. The blue sky was really pretty though. Very typical February weather here.
The funniest part is that he's sitting on daddy, who is taking a nap. I mean, hard at work. It is a Wednesday after all.
The husband's grandmother had this prism at her house, and this last month it's been throwing wonderful rainbows all over the kitchen. We love to see it on all the various surfaces. I thought it was kind of funky on the colorful rug.
The big boy had written a book and was reading it and explaining it to Daddy. Daddy looked away because he realized I was taking a picture but I'm quick like that.
Baby boy loves to watch the fire. He is sitting on my lap here, don't worry.
My girl and her best pal. When they play outside they come around the school and it's too cute to see them all. Ms. Judy, the teacher with them, said she was calling them The Slowskis because they were so lollygagging and singing and taking up the rear.
I think I'd get along with this person.
"It's hard to convince people that you're killing them for their own good"
"Magic happens"
"If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?"
"If you can't operate the turn signal, what makes you think you can operate the rest of the car?"
It is almost Papa's birthday so he came over. We had lunch out but then came home and made a cake. I love this pic because of the look on the birthday boy's face.
Not the best picture but it was sort of constant motion. Family swim today at the gym. Old pool.
The girl loves to make things. And she can do it all if I make it really easy for her too. She can unwrap the shortening, and dump the rest in (we ran out of brown sugar so white plus molasses it is!). And she can turn the mixer on to a 2. And is pretty good at scooping out balls of dough (the imperfection is part of the charm!).
And me, I'm really good at eating them. It's a useful skill.
Here's the recipe if you want. They are delicious, sort of a combination oatmeal/sugar cookie. Not like an oatmeal-raisin cookie, but I bet they would be great with many things added to them. My niece (nut allergic) was there so we skipped the pecans.
The girl has decided her dolly Lila needs a quilt. So we're making one out of some leftovers we had around. I think I even have some batting somewhere, even though I'm not a real quilter. She was illustrating how we will make it, therefore blurry hands. It's an action shot. ;o)
Last night the gym daycare lady made my baby smell of perfume. So morning tub it is! He's finally to the point where it's not utter torture, but I think it won't be "fun" until he's in the big tub with siblings.
Waiting at the bus stop in pajamas. We only go to the bus on Friday mornings, and usually the babygirl is still asleep. She gets plenty of beauty sleep. But today we all went. All but for daddy and baby who were still asleep when we returned.
Entering the gym yesterday. Not a great shot but it's been this beautiful sunny cold weather lately. Also, that back portion is the NEW POOL which may be open by March 1. I am not holding my breath because it was supposed to be open in August. At least all the dirt is out now and it really is just finish work. I just can't wait to go directly from the locker room to the pool - right now you walk through all of the weight area, including the judgmental body builders. And it's cold!
I took this yesterday and posted it and forgot to blog it. Anyway, I figured since I spend so much of my day, might as well include a photo of it. So here tis!
This is the property I fantasize about. It's perfect in so many ways, except for the $1.2 million price tag. Oh well. I'm a masochist who drives past it a few times a week so that when it gets ripped down and filled with mcmansions, I can cry.
A view from our typical Sunday seats. The sun was so lovely off the snow.
The big boy had to run over and kiss his brother while we were putting laundry away and things during naptime.
Is this not super stylish? He thought it was a riot. He's my healthy and strong boy. Also, his BMI is at the 90% which just goes to show how flawed that system is. He's fine and the doctor said that's a load of crap (although she's much more tactful anyway).
The boots, the hat, the gloves, the coat. The tutu.
Also, she is such a little bag lady. She always, always has to have a bag with some of her friends in it. Lately it's been a holiday gift bag.
Each afternoon, when the girly is done with school and lunch, we go downstairs for some quiet time. Since she doesn't nap any more, she definitely needs down time before brother gets home and life gets more active. It usually involves turning on pbs and all of us piling into the one chair for an hour or so. We had just gotten off the floor from doing a puzzle.
We are partaking in some 90% off christmas candy. The cherry cordial ones are totally gross, by the way.
So yes, it's blurry. But the girl took this and I like it. The light off the snow is nice, I don't look horrible, and the smile is this really lovey smile. Directed at the photographer I'm sure.
The title says it all. He hates the bath, loves the naked, loves the fire, so it's a mixed bag. But he smells good now!
This morning, all 3 boys (look closely!) in my bed. Well technically *one* of the boys belongs there. But I'm powerless to the other two.
Oh gosh this didn't end up being the best picture. But he's taking it *so* seriously.
The child in my arms is 6.5 weeks old and my last post was his birth. Blush. Things are a leeeeetle busy around here.
He's super cute. He even smiles. See?
The preschool teacher the other day said she took a photo of me when we went apple picking, two days before his birth. She said the photo was amazing, from the side. I'm dying to see it but I'm sure I'll be horrified as well.
I'm actually at that point where I'm going to start giving him a bottle so that I can Get Out and do fun things like volunteer in a first grade classroom. Watch out world! Okay, and so maybe I will go out for dinner with the husband and have wine and stuff once in a while too.
Just had the first grade conference with the big boy's teacher, and she says he's great. Funny and great vocabulary and all that stuff I like to puff myself up about.
So I'm just over 37 weeks along and I've never been so ready to birth. It's not even that I feel bad (although last weekend I felt awful, I think it was a stomach bug or something), but that I have to go in 2-3 times a week for non stress tests and ultrasounds and I spend about 8 hours a week being monitored. It's draining, and then to be resting on top of that, I'm always on my bum but it's still exhausting. Mentally I guess. So I've been doing things like making eggplant parmesan and taking evening primrose oil.
I have been really impressed with my doctors though, even the one who I was afraid would be on call when I go into labor. People toss around the delivery thing but when I go to the birth center to be monitored, they just send me home. I'm hoping that every day I become more inducable, because I think that saying "deliver" at this point still means a c-section. So we shall see.
And no, we don't have a name chosen yet.
Oh I am such a super slacker. Let's see what goes on here.
Only about 3 1/2 weeks left until we are a family of five. No, we haven't chosen his name, and since some events this weekend (OH NO I HATE THAT NAME) we're not discussing it any more. Also, we'll probably choose the name that YOU HATE mostly because you're such a twat about it. Okay, not really. Plans for a vbac are still on, still good. I feel great, even though my blood pressure is still creeping up. No one is mentioning taking him early though so I'm good. I am, however, prepared. My bag is packed, the changing table stocked, and I'm about to wash the cosleeper linens.
The boy started first grade. The transition wasn't quite like kindergarten, but he still shed a few tears. Today we visited him at lunch and that was happy, but he got a mite sad when we had to go.
Speaking of which, the reason we were there was because the babygirl is starting preschool. Tomorrow is a "real" day with getting up early and all, but today we just filled out forms and met the teachers and all. She is very super excited. She charmed all of the teachers and checked out most of the room. She can't wait to meet Rocco (Wocko!) tomorrow, whom she knows nothing about other than he has a brother with the same name as hers.
I am rather glad that I will have a few mornings to myself before the baby thing begins. Hopefully more than a few.
A couple of weeks ago, I was thinking about my twice weekly appointments, and how lucky I am to have great healthcare. The very next day, my daughter put a bead in her nose. And it really hit home. I was able to go to the pediatrician and a specialist, that very day, and only pay my regular copay. Also, the bead was never heard from again, but she's fine. Gotta love it.
We finally got up to Maine camping this weekend. It was so hot and I was miserable most of the time. But there were lovely moments and the kids had a blast. That will probably make things into happy memories in a week or two. However, when the husband asked if we could go back this weekend, I think my response had something to do with hell freezing or pigs flying.
Today I had my weekly ultrasound and non stress test. Baby passed it all, and I guess I did too. The doctor said my weight gain is great, the baby is finally head down (and may he stay that way, you hear baby?) and I got some really great 3d images. He's right around 4 lb now, they say, and looks just like my kids. That round head and pudgy cheeks.
I'm supposed to be resting though. It took me about a gallon of water and an 8:30 bedtime to recover from camping (actually, I'm probably not even recovered yet). Now today has been so darn hot, and I think it's supposed to stay this way, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. We just went to the nice cool grocery store.
I'm really quite a slacker. But you should know, it's a testament to the fun summer we're having. It really only started about 3 weeks ago, what with the fourth of july and all. But the girl had her dance camp, we bought the state park pass, it started to (finally) get hot, and we started doing regular fun summer stuff.
Also, I'm sort of a glutton for punishment. This one expecting club that I can't peel myself away from (and I should, because it's not vbulletin or similar, it's an impossible to read format) is discussing c-sections. And I know that every mom wants to think they made the right choice, and I know that your doctor told you you HAD to have one, but I still think there are too many out there. And I frickin had one! But seriously, I have a reason to think that a vbac is the best choice for me, and you know, I'm not knocking your decision to already schedule your october birth, so don't knock me mine.
Mothers can be so judgmental.
So let me tell you a story. We have this childbirth class which started last night, from 7:30-9. Now, in our household, particularly in the summer, going to bed after 9 is not unheard of, at.all. So I'm looking for childcare for said class, and ask my mother in law. I said we could just drop them off and pick them up, etc. She says "oh no, that's after bedtime, I'll come there". Okay, so no. Firstly, I'm not putting them to bed at 7, in the summer (heck that's 20 minutes from now, and we haven't even eaten yet, but I digress), or letting you put them to bed. It's complicated for us and I just don't want to give you fodder. But that was the only option I really had, so I figured I would do lots of tiring activities and at least try to get the girl to bed that early (a long car ride oftentimes does the trick).
My sister in law, the other option, is spending her summer at her lake cottage. But I called her to find out when we could come visit and yay! She's at home, until Wednesday. And is dying to see the kids, and they her. And sure! They can hang out during that time, and heck, why don't you drop them off at 5 so that we can play outside and we'll give them hotdogs and watch Lady and the Tramp. And for once, it all worked out. Called mother in law, said thanks but no thanks, and the kids had a frickin blast. Oh and they weren't asleep at 9:45 when we picked them up, but they were vegetative in front of some movie, and fell asleep in their carseats, which I am 100% okay with.
I actually had been stressing about this and instead got to have dinner with just my husband, before rolling around on the floor doing labor techniques. Also, the class was great. Not too hippy-dippy, but lovely and supportive of natural birthing. The other couple there are both chiropractors, and she's due 3 weeks after me. And huger. Or at least I thought so, but when I mentioned how huge she was to my husband, he went "oh . . . ya, I guess so". I think I'm bigger than I care to admit. The heartburn speaks otherwise. My poor GI tract. I can no longer have pizza or anything tomato saucey. Bummer. I like that chicken parm stuff.
Two fabulous new recipes. I made cheese straws, but put about half cheddar and half asiago. And instead of red pepper, used a sea salt and herbs de province blend. Not a spicy fan and when cooking for a crowd, you never know. They were aweresome.
Also made hot artichoke and olive dip, pretty well exactly as presented. Have been happily eating leftovers for 3 days. Can't say the same for the poor pasta salad.
