9.29.2011

oh, hi.

I have a tendency to do this, take a hiatus from blogging when I get a pregnant. [That sentence makes it sound like a get a pregnant a lot. Ha.] The past two times have been because I was constantly throwing up and anything that didn't involve that, was not a priority. This time around, I'm actually still feeling pretty good, but life has just been super busy. And the sheer exhaustion? Totally kicked in this week. Naptime means rest time for me and I go to bed about 9:30 every night, the times I would normally be blogging. I also got sick Monday night, but that is nothing in comparison to how bad I know it can get. I'm still so thankful for the way I'm feeling. As long as I am constantly eating, I feel okay. I still regret not getting up at 4:30am to eat a bowl of cereal last night. For an hour and a half I sat in bed thinking about it. Just saying.

I made homemade pumpkin pie and pot roast yesterday. That smell was filling my home with the most amazing aroma all day long. I'm pretty sure that's what sold our house. What? Did I say, sold? Why, yes I did. Okay, it's not sold yet. But we did get an offer last night. Praying that everything goes smoothly with it. Also? The house that we have been eyeing since July--the one with 5 acres, yeah, it got an offer last week. God has a plan for us. And I'm confident in that, and surprisingly not feeling too stressed about it (being the planner I am...of course, I threw my planning skills out the window when I found I was pregnant. Time to go with the flow, aye?)

In just about a week, Naomi turns one. ONE. People. October also means Audrey's birthday and my birthday. We are going to be celebrating every other weekend. I shall not complain. I do love cupcakes.



I'm also making it a goal to blog more in October. And drink as much apple cider as I can, and eat as much pumpkin-anything. [I set attainable goals, what can I say.] Yeah, October is one of my favorite months. You too?

9.18.2011

friends and ice cream.

When I first became a mama with Audrey, one of the best things that happened to me was joining a playgroup that meet weekly at each other's homes. At the time, each mom had one, maybe two kids (or pregnant with number two), and it was just what I needed for support and relief (let's be honest). Three years later, there are now six moms and fifteen kids (and come April/May my third will make sixteen in the group) all under the age of four. On Friday we went on a field trip to a nearby Children's Museum, indoor playgroup, and the cutest ice cream parlor. I do believe the kiddos behaved quite well while sitting on little barstools eating their ice cream, while bystanders watched in awe (with either the fact that so many kids were there, or that they were being so good).

It made for some caaa-ute pictures.




So thankful for mama friends and little trips with sweet memories.
 (Both figuratively and literally, that ice cream was delicious!)

9.15.2011

[and yes, i know how babies are made.]

Last time this happened (which really doesn't seem like that long ago), I told him in a cute little way. And I was giddy and on cloud nine. Except for when the sickness hit me like a freight train just about a week later.

This time around, I cried frantically because, ohmygosh, would he believe me?! I didn't even believe it. When I came into the living room to tell him, I'm not really sure what I said, because he thought a snake was in the kitchen or something. Um, yeah. While I could barely catch my breath, his face lit up with the biggest smile. Honey, this is a good thing. I'm so excited!

See, I'm a planner. I consider myself fairly organized. So, when this happened at our surprise/shock/whaaaaaaat I didn't know what to do or how to respond. Don't get me wrong, I love babies. And pregnancy (after the first 17 weeks, when I quit being best friends with the toilet). And we wanted more, we knew that. But my plan wasn't to have them this close. [Thankfully, I can fully trust in His plan. Our Maker. He wouldn't ever give me more than I can handle. And apparently He thinks I am superwoman or something.] So yeah, I'm going to be one of those crazies with three kids 3.5 years and younger. If you are currently one of those crazies, all encouragement is welcomed! I'm not even sure of my due date yet, I'm thinking possibly mid-May? I'm just going to say it, I have nothing to base this pregnancy on. Because, yeah, I was one of those people that believed the myth that you couldn't get pregnant if you don't have a period and you are breastfeeding. I went to get blood work done the other day to get an approximation of how far along I am. 7-8 weeks (with all my levels looking great). Which was another shock and a pleasant surprise that I haven't been deathly sick (yet). In fact, I feel pretty great right now. Tired, but waaaaay better than my past pregnancies.

My motto right now is take it a day at a time. That's all I can do right now. I could pretty much lose my sanity right now as we continue to try to sell our house, figure out a birth plan (we are highly considering a homebirth, but the fact we may not know where we will be living, is playing a huge role in the decision), and just running the every day tasks of having two kids right now almost three and one.

Also? This is most likely my last pregnancy. So, I'm going to try to revel in the beauty of this pregnancy. And pray that the sickness stays away. And like I said, take it a day at a time.

Cheers to baby #3, yes?

9.12.2011

{right} before my eyes.

She says things like I'm so brave, mama. I'm going to tell daddy how I climbed this all by myself today! And Look, the horse is galloping. And No, No, Naomi, we don't put leaves in our mouth.

And her sister, isn't going any slower. Her understanding of my words, astounds me. Her smile is contagious.
 And her delight when she sees an animal is infectious.

[This I know.] These are the hardest and best years of my life.
And today, I'm taking it one day at a time. Because, they are growing up right before my eyes.

9.08.2011

small style {recycled dress}.

We have had such lovely, chilly weather this week. Which means to me, making a lot of comfort foods- chili, pot pie, and white chicken chili. And I had to make a trip to Starbucks on the day the Pumpkin Spice latte was available. But to [my] toddler, cold weather, just means a lot more clothes to have to put on and wearing unwanted pants. I knew this was coming, Audrey still wanting to wear dresses when the temperatures drop. I'm thinking very few jeans will be bought, but a lot of leggings and tights will be on the arise. A couple of months ago, I snagged a simple striped Land's End dress from Goodwill for $3. And today I finally got around to altering it slightly, so it is a tad bit more fun, and totally suitable for this beautiful fall weather.

I used an old vintage apron and an old t-shirt for the material,
and basically did a similar design to a previous dress I had made for Audrey.


So simple and sweet. I love the little heart detail I added to the back.



A little late, but linking up with Morgan over at Mama Loves Papa for Small Style!

9.06.2011

one more month.

Guess who only has one month left till she turns one?!


Oh, and she totally thinks she's big stuff. Like when I give Audrey and Naomi each their sippy cups, Naomi does not want her own, she wants the bigger toddler-like one. And often times, wins. She has recently learned to stand on her own, and loves to walk around holding on to just one hand. She has eight teeth, and uses it to her advantage to eat everything. It completely amazes me how much babies understand at this age,  and her vocab. includes mama, dog, dada, and I think tonight she said ni-ni, for night-night. I can't believe in just a month we are going to throw a first birthday party with a cutie-patootie hot-air balloon theme!

[Wanna see Audrey at 11 months? I love seeing how different/alike the girls are at the same age. Go here. You can even see a video of her walking then!]

9.05.2011

non-laboring on labor day.

I just sat here for a minute to try to think about the weekend and what all we did. And all I can recall is eating a lot and relaxing. We even managed to get in a family two hour nap today. It was splendid.

Every Labor Day we have made it a tradition to go to the local car show, where I grew up. Picture this--good ol'country folks walking around looking at old cars, bluegrass or gospel music playing down below the hill, and getting served up some mighty-fine pork tenderloin and fries. Then throw in a couple of bouncy houses for the kids and face painting, and you have a pleasant way to spend Labor Day. But what was really icing on the cake was the fact that it was only 65 degrees out all day, instead of 85 like it usually is this time of year. [I may have been a little over excited to dress the girls in jeans, long sleeves, and adorable little jackets. And I even whipped out a light scarf-eek!]

I didn't forget the sippy cups, or banana as a snack, or the two cans of soda in my purse, or the diapers and wipes, or the extra jacket, or the baby carrier, but somehow I did manage to forget the camera. So, it is iphone pictures to share.






You can see Labor Day pictures from two years ago, at the same place, here!
I do hope you all enjoyed a relaxing weekend as well!

9.01.2011

small style.

Hi ya, friends! I didn't mean to be m.i.a for the last couple of days but between mickey mouse pancake making, rock painting, house show cleaning, traveling about 13 hours over the weekend, work meetings, and the usual beauty shop play, the days have been pretty jammed packed. I must say, though, I'm so excited that it is September. I loooooove the fall. And although it's not technically fall yet, I always go out and buy a nice smelly fall candle on the first of September, and today will be no exception. Oh, and I can't wait to buy mums. [A very sweet reminder of my mama. Oh, how she loved those flowers.]

I'm happy to say, I'm back, linking up with the lovely Morgan over at Mama Loves Papa for Small Style Thursday. Audrey has entered the I'm going to dress how I want stage, which I didn't think started till way later, but apparently two is the new ten. Somedays it's a Snow White costume or a towel on her head as Rapunzel's hair. [Not even kidding. Like a hooded baby towel. She will wear it everywhere too. Like she owns the place in it.] Almost every morning the first thing she wants to do is go to her closest and pick out a dress [she has a lot of dresses, but it is usually one of the four chosen ones.] But yesterday, watch out folks, I had a teeny tiny say in her outfit. Like, I talked her into leggings instead of a dress.

Audrey is wearing:
Jean vest: thrifted
Shirt: H&M
Leggings: Gap
Shoes: TOMS
Hairclip: Zuzii via Etsy

This past week, Naomi got a very early first birthday present in the mail, and I couldn't resist giving it to her. Check out her left arm. See that sweet little bracelet? Audrey received one for her first birthday and now it was Naomi's turn. It is engraved with Naomi Fae, and has a pearl bead on it. Audrey still wears hers, hasn't taken it off for, ahem, almost two years. Talk about high quality! I bought Naomi's from the same store as Audrey's, called Sophie's Closest on Etsy. I wasn't paid or compensated to write about this little store, but I love the bracelets, so I wanted to share.

 Naomi is wearing:
Shirt: hand-me-down from Audrey, Old Navy (Don't you just love the lace on the sleeves?!)
Leggings: Misha Lulu
Hair Clip: Zuzii
Big Tush:  BumGenius Cloth Diapers