Catch up on photos

So, going through my phone I realized there are a ton of pictures I've taken and not added to my online photo album for my kids to "enjoy" one day. (that's this here blog, people) Don't worry. I didn't add allll of them, just tried to select and combine the highlights.

I've talked about how tee ball has started, and we've had lots of practices. Lots. And a little girl has played at fields, cheered "GOOOO WUKE! GOOO BASEBALL!", and generally been really well behaved for the two year old she is at boring hour and a half practices 2-3 times a week. Some others of us have had a little bit of a harder time handling the practices.

But in his defense, I feel like 1 1/2 hours is a long time for a 5 year old to stay on task (not to mention the day he's already had at school or church, and that it's 100+ degrees out). And I have to say all these practices are doing something! His throw is getting better, he caught the ball in his glove last night, and his batting stance is getting more consistent! The first game is Monday and we are super excited!

When we aren't at practice, we've been doing church things and normal family things. Last Sunday Luke (as usual) picked out his own clothes. He knows he has to pick out a "button shirt" (oxford or polo) to wear to church, and he always pairs them with a pair of khaki shorts. Not this time. When he showed me his outfit with a "tada!" I cringed a little and told him that the shorts and the shirt didn't exactly go together. I then invited him to change his shorts, to which he replied "No fank you."

The same day Evan decided she was obsessed with her sunglasses.

Sara is teaching her bible class and told me later she wore them through most of class. As you can see they were back for service, lunch, home time, and practice that night. Have I ever mentioned I have quirky children? And I'm adding to the madness?

Ya'll. Some days it's nuts how much baby there is.

The kids' quirkiness doesn't stop with their actions. The conversations kill me too. The other day I realized that I forgot to brush Luke's teeth. I got him out of bed literally 3 minutes after tucking him in and leaving his room to head to the bathroom. He tells me as I'm putting tooth paste on his brush "Yes Mom! Now I get to know what it's like to be up in the middle of the night!"  He frequently talks about all the things he wants to do when he grows up, and once he asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told him I wanted to be a momma. He said no, what REAL job did I want. I just stared at him.

Listening to my girl has become a real treat too. A couple of nights ago Evan decided that Baby needed to eat dinner with us, so she brought in Baby's highchair.

She took her chicken nuggets from her plate and put them on Baby's tray, the proceeded to feed Baby. "Da baby's got ta eat too. Good job Baby! All done, time fo nap." She then took Baby to the rocking chair in the living room and rocked her baby singing "Rock da baaaaaaby, when you cwose your eyes go to sweep..." It was the sweetest thing ever. I couldn't even be irritated she was still playing instead of sitting with Luke and I for dinner. (and don't judge my chicken nugget dinner. very rarely do I let them have chicken nuggets, but it was a Friday night and we were SUPPOSED to be eating at small groups, but Evan had a random isolated fever and I didn't want to risk it. I had NOTHING for us to eat.) She's also played dress up in some of my things that sit in the back of my drawers.

Hey. I won't be wearing anything like that for a long long time, so why can't someone have fun in them?

Life with a 2 year old and a 5 year old can be tough. They are both stubborn and ornery and opinionated in totally opposite ways. But what a fun time we have. They make me laugh. They bring me joy. Swell my heart with pride. They make me thankful for life.

34 Weeks

 

 How Far Along: 34 weeks

Size of baby: Size of a large cantaloupe- length is about 17.5 inches and 4.5 lbs.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I'm now up to 134. Had a dr appointment today. I think I've hit the really depressing part- where the scale seems so high and knowing that I've still got at least a month to gain. I'll probably hit 140 before it's all said and done, and that's a lot for my little 5'2 frame. :(

 

Maternity Clothes: Lets just say I've already retired some maternity clothes that I started out in.

 

Gender: Girl. Still a girl.
   

Movement: Elyse isn't slowing down yet. I've actually gotten several really cool videos this week of her moving around, lumps of baby gliding under my skin.
 

Sleep: Terrible. Just terrible. When I lay down my left cheek slowly gets numb and then starts radiating pain down my leg. So I pretty much just toss and turn all night. On a non-pregnancy related note, Evan has woken up twice this week for whatever reason and cried to be rocked at about 2 AM. That's not helping.
    

What I miss: Feeling skinny. And sleeping.

 

Cravings: Not really any.

Symptoms: The itchiness continues. It's created a nice little mottled effect across my belly. The aching of my muscles and searing stretch of my skin continues also. I now remember why I called a truce at 39 weeks last time, I couldn't take the stretching any more. But, that's not an option yet. I've also had some real contractions, as well as an increase in Braxton Hicks. How did I know they were real as opposed to BH? My belly has always made a very specific shape when it comes to BH, and these were different. Plus I felt really nauseous during them and the pain was in a different spot. All of the above, plus hormones that have gone ca-razy and patience that are nonexistent make me a JOY to be around. I have to say, this last week of pregnancy alone has probably been harder than the last 8 months put together.

 

Best Moment this week: I hate saying that I really can't think of one, it makes me feel like I'm ungrateful or something, but this past week has been difficult enough to push all of it out of the way. I did try to get some belly pictures with Evan after taking my bimonthly picture (I always take it while they are napping, which is why I haven't had any "helpers" in the pictures like when I was pregnant with Evan. I left the tripod up till they were awake). Forever ago I'd seen a picture of a pregnant mom with her young daughter comparing the size of their bellies and when I found out I was pregnant this time I immediately thought of that picture and wanted one with my girl. Of course it didn't turn out quite like I'd hoped, but it was a 2 year old and a timer you have to get up to reset each time. Hey...no one cried! I'll count that as a win anytime it comes to forced picture taking!

 

All the other 50 billion shots I tried to get are of her looking at the camera- the blinking light of the timer was much more interesting than her Buddha belly!

My Room Revealed

I know it's only been a year since I redid my room, but it's actually already gone through a bit of a shift in the last couple of months. When the rooms got switched and combined and revamped, there was just no where to put the rocking chair next to the crib. I couldn't get rid of it though because...newborn! rocking! Plus that rocking chair had been used in Luke's nursery as well, so how could I not rock my last baby in the same chair as her brother and sister? Since Elyse will be sleeping in my room until she can sleep through the night, I put the rocker in my room.

 

Yep. You read that right. I have finally broken down and am going to let a newborn sleep in the same room as me. ON. PURPOSE.

 

I know. I'm the girl who stopped using a monitor after two weeks because the baby was still too noisy.

 

Come on people. It's sleep when sleep is a precious commodity. And I can hear a baby crying down the short hall that is between my room and theirs just as well as I can through a monitor next to my head. Swearsies.

 

But, I cringe at the thought of trying to keep a newborn that is up every couple of hours next to a 2 year old who, albeit sleeps very heavily, was trying to rest. Plus there is the middle of the night diaper changes, (heaven help me) sheet changes, and of course feedings that could potentially disturb Big Sister.

 

So. To accommodate a cradle in my already cramped room, I moved the sewing machine out to the garage (*sad face*) temporarily and put the bookshelf on another wall. It's actually not terrible!  I've been sewing on the computer desk in the living room, and have learned I don't really need the closet door to swing all the way open.

 

The last big change you'll notice is... the bed frame! I've been itching for a new bed frame for a long time, but obviously have not been in a place to be able to get one. Until. Until I saw my friend Niki put one up on an online garage sale forum, and knew that it was perfect. It's black iron, and I LOVE it. It flows so well with what I've done with the rest of the place. It wasn't terrible to switch out either. I got Jacob to go with me to pick it up, then he and Luke put it together for me. You should have seen how proud Luke was to get to be the helper.

 

This little shelf is one I took from Jacob's house and painted it with leftover paint from the dresser and nightstand. One of the things I have on my tiny tiny registry are little storage cubes that will fit inside. I figured I'd need a place for a few jammies (we all know how newborn sized diapers leak), diapers, wipes, and burp cloths.

 

On the end of the bed is one of the blankets I've made for Elyse. It's just voile cotton on one side (with ruffles added. I couldn't help myself) and minky on the other. I'll probably end up tossing this one on the couch after she's done with it, I love it that much!

 

So now she's up to three blankets that I've made for her (chenille, minky, and minky). I know, I should probably stop. As long as I don't find any more lovely fabric that is just begging to be used for something.

Labor Day and First Day of Jr. K

This weekend was a long one. And not just because it was three days. Saturday morning we had tee ball practice at 9:00. The only bad part about it was that at 9 AM it was already in the upper 90's and climbing. Basically, we boiled. Also, Evan opened up the camera on my phone after I took a picture of the two of us, and I found nearly 100 selfies within a 2 minute time span.

 

 

After practice we ran to the store for Luke a new pair of cleats (he'd shockingly out grown his pair from the spring) and to Target for food. I don't think I've ever gone to Target as sweaty and stinky as I was. But, then we went home and spent the whole rest of the day there.

 

Sunday was church, and then Sunday night Luke had tee ball practice again. Mom and Dad didn't have small group on Sunday night, so Dad graciously offered to take him to practice for me. Afterwards we all met up for ice cream. Such a treat!

 

Monday dawned....rainy. Can you believe it? Luke had been begging for another bike adventure with Mom and Dad, and they'd made plans over ice cream to go yesterday morning. Of course.

 

One thing I learned on our rainy rainy morning was that I no longer am capable of entertaining two small children for hours on end. Especially small children who fight a lot while pregnant and already short on patience. There was lots of crying off and on. Mostly not because of me- they tend to play really rough with each other. We did play playdoh for a whole hour though. That was nice.

 

Luke was thoroughly impressed with my sculpture. When I asked him what he thought it was, he told me a turtle.

Okay then. I was going more for "cat" or something, but turtle it is.

I did manage to keep the tv off from 7 when they woke up to 4. I finally gave in and let them have pop corn and a movie. Peter Pan! And Luke loved it! After dinner Luke finally got to go on his bike ride. They didn't get to ride to the donut shop like originally planned (darn.), but at least he got to get out.

 

 

A big accomplishment was keeping this girl in panties! She went the entire morning without an accident. I put her in a pull up for nap, and some how she woke up dry. She did have a couple of small accidents in the afternoon, but nothing too terrible.

 

Yes, she's still wearing Luke's old undies. But actually, this works out for everyone. I don't have to stress about ruining new panties, and Luke finally gets 2T/3T undies moved out of his drawer (which actually still kinda fit him). Lets not get into the discussion that they can wear the same size underwear.

 

This morning was my boy's first day of Jr. Kindergarten!

 

"I'm gonna be a plane driver and a train driver." (what he went on to say and I couldn't fit was "..and a truck driver and maybe an army man. Probably not an army man. Just a plane driver. And train driver.")

 

Mom swung by on her way to school to get Evan and take her to Cindy's for me, but I did want a couple of picture with her before they left.

 

New back pack! And inside is his new lunch box! I think he was more thrilled with these two items than he was with actually going to school. We spent a couple of hours scouring the internet for the perfect lunch box. The day it arrived he opened it up and pointed to each corner, saying he wanted a sandwich, an apple, and a banana for his lunch.

 

"Mom, I have a real desk for my colors and pencils and zizzers!"

 

Here, I'm just about to leave. I'd already teared up. Oh, my baby. In that moment I don't think I could have been more grateful that he wasn't in a full on kindergarten class. I'm pretty sure I would not have been able to leave him in a class of 22 kids. My boy. On our way up to the school we talked about how Mrs. Steele was a very nice lady and I expected him to be respectful to her. He just sighed and said "I know Mom." As I got back into my car without him I wondered if I hugged him enough. Did I tell him how proud I was of him? That I loved  him? I'm sure if someone asked him he would huff and roll his eyes and again say "I know Mom." But I need him to know. I've got a great kid, and when all the other voices in the world tell him otherwise, I want him to remember.

 

Chenille Blanket

So way back a couple of years ago, I found a tutorial for an heirloom chenille blanket that I wanted to try out for the next friend that was pregnant. I never got around to making it for anyone, and it's probably a good thing because GOOD LORD did this blanket take more than I expect.

First it took a lot of supplies: 5 yards of fabric (1 1/4 yards of four different colors- 1 print, 3 flannels), two packages of bias tape for binding, 3 spools of thread (two for the lines, one coordinating the binding), and the chenilling tool.

Second of all, it took a lot of time. A. LOT. I don't think I've ever spent longer than two days on anything that I've made. The last project that took awhile was the car seat cover, and it was only a weekend ordeal. When I read the tutuorial, she said that it took her several hours to sew the channels across the entire thing, and I was thinking "They are straight lines! How could that take several hours and two spools of thread?!" Oh no. She was right. I estimate it took me about 6 hours to sew all the lines. I don't have 6 hours. I do, however, have 30 minutes here, 45 minutes there. Hence the reason it took me a solid week to sew this. Plus she said it took her about 30 minutes to cut the channels of flannel, where it probably took me about 2 hours. Plus, three different times I somehow managed to jump the stitching and cut through it, which made some pretty big boo boos, but I got them fixed (kinda).

Also before I started, I read a lot of the links in her comments of people who had tried it. Thankfully I read one where the girl talked about how it created a lot of fuzz and she was right! I'm so glad I knew to wash and dry it by itself. My washing machine had to be wiped out and the lint trap was completely full on the dryer.

One last thing- I found out I'm not so good at binding. Ha! I need to practice!

But it did turn out lovely. I can tell it will be really warm. Not sure if it will really be softer than the minky blankets I've made, but it will be cozy. Hopefully something Elyse will love for years to come!

Luke's room revealed

I am finally getting around to posting the pictures of Luke's new room. Yes, this was started at the beginning of the summer. Yes, I finally painted the furniture and got it situated 2 weeks ago. It takes me a bit longer to get things photographed than it used to. I love how it turned out though! The car tracks that are on his wall was a Christmas present that I kept putting off. I knew at some point the kids would be switching rooms (not because I was pregnant, that was before the surprise) and my bargaining chip for giving up the bigger room was being able to put the car tracks up.

 

Well, the move came and went and the bad momma I am still hadn't put it up. BUT, while he was gone I finally got around to it, and the look on his face was priceless. He loves it. Loves the posters I found to go above it (they don't fit with the cowboy theme, but Mustangs and Camaros are two of his favorite cars. I couldn't resist.) He loves the blue furniture. He's been asking for something to be painted blue ever since I painted my walls navy last year.  So it was out with the green dresser and bookshelf....

 

 

and in with the navy for my boy.

 

 

 

 

And because I was having fun taking panoramic pictures, I took one of the girls' room too.

 

 

32 weeks and the excitement level

 

How Far Along: 32 weeks

Size of baby: Size of a squash- length is about 16.5 inches and 3.5 lbs.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Yesterday at my appointment I was 131- only 1 lb in the last two weeks! I think that's the slowest I've gained yet.

 

Maternity Clothes: I dare you to find regular clothes that will fit over that belly that AREN'T a size XL.

 

Gender: Elyse Ann is on her way! (see, it's questions like these last two that make me glad I'm only doing this every other week, as opposed to every week.)
  

Movement: Still busy as ever. Moving mountains busy. I feel like she's long and low because it's almost like I've got toes in my ribs and a batter-ram on the other end all at the same time. It's......pleasant. And there are still 8. weeks. left.
     

Sleep: Still not great. I've developed a pattern of being up for at least an hour about 4 hours after I go to bed.
   

What I miss: Feeling skinny.

 

Cravings: Not really any.

Symptoms: So itchy. My poor skin and ab muscles are taking a beating- tight and itchy and generally uncomfortable. And again, there are still 8. weeks. left. Also, some may say that my patience level is waning. But those people probably aren't saying it to my face.

 

Best Moment this week: Passing the 3 hour glucose test! I found out at my appointment two weeks ago that I barely missed the mark on the one hour test. That meant I had to come back for the 3 hour one. While there are much worse things in the world than sitting for that test, there were also about a thousand other things I would have rather done. Thankfully I passed it with flying colors, and after speaking with my dr yesterday, she said it was highly unlikely that anything would develop in the short time I've got left. Probably one of the few times 8 weeks will be considered a "short" amount of time. Just ask a teacher. Or a kid waiting for Christmas.

 

You know, people keep asking me if I'm getting excited. If I'm ready. Of course I'm excited! Of course I'm ready! I can't wait to meet this little girl. See if I finally get my dark haired baby. My green eyed girl. To love on her and hold her and breath her in. But.....I'm also glad I know she isn't coming tomorrow. It's not that I don't want to do the work of parenting three kids by myself, I just know what it's going to mean not only for me, but for the two I've already got. And I'm okay with waiting until the time is right to dive into that. I'm enjoying these last few weeks with the family dynamic we've got going. Cause believe me. "Dynamic" is certainly a word you could use to describe my current children. This one?

 

She decided on Saturday she wanted to wear panties. Well I don't have any panties for her yet. So I plopped her on the potty (where she did go) and put on a pair of Luke's tidy whities on her little bottom, making a big deal out of DO. NOT. PEE PEE.

 

She lasted 30 minutes.

 

And her brother. Lord have mercy. In the last week he's told me that he MIGHT learn to read this year, if he feels like it, that he wanted me to drive home fast after work so he could love on me, and in his prayers has prayed for God to touch our hearts so we could make good choices and be kind.

 

Did you die yet? <3

Quiet on the home front

If you are curious to know why things have been quiet round these here parts (and I know you are on the edge of your seat), it's because things have been quiet at home the last week. Two weekends ago, the weekend I wrote my 30 week post, I had the kids and a quiet normal weekend. Evan decided she needed "a" sticker. Yikes. And don't you love her "cheeeeeeese" face?

 

 

Saturday morning I was greeted bright and early. Luke came in and said "I think it's morning because the sun is up so we can get out of bed now." I tried to tell him it didn't work that way, that just because the sun was up did not mean I was getting out of bed. Well they fixed that problem.

 

If Momma won't get out of bed, just join her in it. All three of my babies made themselves right at home.

Sunday before church:

 

 Evan decided she'd rather wear one of my necklaces and that the sunglasses were still a must. I couldn't get Luke to stop being silly.

Sunday afternoon I let Luke paint a wooden train all. by. himself.

 

 

The sticker placement makes my OCD veer way into the twitchy side, but he loves it, is so proud of it, and has displayed his train on his dresser. What did Sister do while Bubba painted?

 

 

Played Apple Baby.  I don't know.  I don't ask.

 

Monday morning is where the quiet hit. Luke has begged to go to Grandy's for months now, and we haven't been since Christmas. Mom started school yesterday, so last week was the last week they had the chance to go out there. Ashley didn't work Monday through Thursday, so they took both kids out west for a little cousin camp. I was bummed that I couldn't go, but I have to save all my PTO for maternity leave. Boo. They had a great time! My cousins brought their kids in too, so Grandy had a house full of great grand kids. They had the best week of playing and swimming. My aunt's friend has a pool with a diving board AND a water slide, and she was kind enough to let the family borrow it. I got some great videos over texts of my babies running and jumping off the diving board and flying down the slide.

 

Yes. Both of my babies.

 

I didn't have time to get too lonely though. I finally got around to painting Luke's furniture (pictures coming soon) and finishing up his room. That took two of the nights, I had a dr appointment one of the nights, and Dad (who also got left behind) took me to dinner one night. Thursday I flew home from work to see those sweet faces. Luke wanted to go for a bike ride, so I tossed his bike and the stroller in the back of my car and we zipped over to the park.

 

 

All was good in my world. I MISSED them!

 

Friday night was small groups at the Wyatt's house. Luke found a monster costume in one of the bins and managed to get the whole thing on by himself.

Y'all. I die.

 After he took it off, little Miss Copy Cat needed to try it on too. Then I died again.

The rest of the weekend was a quiet one again. Just glad to have my children home for a few days. The only thing we really did was go out to Jacob's mom and stepdad's house Saturday night for swimming and a cookout. Cindy is taking BOTH of her kids to college this week, so I've had to cobble together child care for the days she normally has them. Their grandmother took Tuesday, and to save herself the trip of coming to get them Monday and Tuesday, she had them spend the night last night. :( I was sad to see them go again, but I did get a hair cut and a pedicure and a grocery store run in, so I guess it wasn't a total loss.

 

 Flowers Luke picked for me at the pool a couple of weekends ago.