Project Clean-up

(Now lest you think this post is about me actually cleaning my house, it is still in it's state of disarray. I haven't gone that crazy yet.)

I have a problem. Every time I go to the store, if I have an extra minute, I will look through the fabric remnant rack. Now this isn't necessarily a bad thing because I have been able to make skirts for my girls for under $2. But I keep buying fabric when I still have old stuff. So last week, I got out all the fabric I had (some from before we got married) and ironed it all. If you know me, you'll know that ironing is one of my least favorite chores.

So now, all the fabric is ironed and draped over the back of a chair. I have finished a couple of projects, but still have a large pile of fabric. And since I hate ironing, I refuse to shove it back into a tote. So my dining room table has been out of commission for over a week. I am trying to get this all done this week. Most of the remnants are small so I am just making skirts for the girls (and seeing as how I am having another one--I see it as less sewing in the future!)

I made Thumbelina a Valentine skirt 2 years ago (with a matching bow tie for ET, and awful jumper for baby Munchkin) and it is too small for her this year. I still had remnants of that fabric, so I made her a new skirt and matching shirt. (I still need to add the ruffle at the bottom of the skirt and shirtET wanted a Valentine shirt, too, but wasn't too keen on hearts and birds. So after consulting with my Mom, and a trip to the store for some black remnants (are you beginning to see the problem here?) I finished ET's shirt today. I think it may just be the best thing I have ever made.

Now I just have to finish Munchkin's shirt, and Valentine clothes are done. But last night, I figured that I have enough of the black remnant left over to make a black skirt for Munchkin.

I need someone to break me out of this cycle!

And The Puke Rolls On...

I am pregnant and, because of that, have dealt with my share of puke for the last few months. So when the vomit-monster rolls in, hubby is nice enough to deal with it. The only problem with that is that he always catches it.

So last night, Thumbelina had a relapse. And this morning, hubby is worshipping the porcelain god.

So our days of vomit aren't over yet...but at least this one can take care of it himself.

Thank You

I would like to thank my children for getting sick at night and on weekends.

(You know so hubby can take charge.)

Thumbelina started the puke party on Thursday night, and her sister followed nearly every hour of Saturday night, and her brother joined in the fun early Sunday morning in the hallway.

(I guess I should mention that my brother also fell prey to the peer pressure. Hubby and I are totally above caving to the pressure!)

So I apologize for my string of puke posts, and hope I have something new to post about soon.

Jinxed

I knew I shouldn't have done it. I mean it hadn't been done in months, so why now?

It wasn't even a really conscious decision. It just sorta happened.

There I was. An empty hamper, an empty washer, and the final load in the dryer. Heck, I was even considering folding the clean laundry.

I should have realized it was too tempting for fate. I mean, how could fate not respond to this?!

And then, fate came through. Right as she always does...

puke

A full hamper. A full washer. And the cycle begins again.

It's no secret that this pregnancy has been hard for me and my family.

Since August.

It's also no secret that I am feeling much better these days.

...except for knowing that I still have 15 weeks left. :)

Another no brainer is that my children have been neglected during the sick times. For example, Munckin can recognize any character in any show on Noggin. Wubbzy-she loves him. Diego-she can sing along. Kailan, Miss Spider, the Backyardigans, Wonder Pets, and even the Ferocious Beast are all counted among her friends. Now, while this has helped build her vocabulary, it has also erased her ability to entertain herself. Her vocabulary almost makes up for it though!

So yesterday was the start of rehab. TV rehab. I am starting slow. They each get to pick 30 minutes of TV per day. Munchkin gets hers out of the way by 8am every day. Wubbzy. What else. Thumbelina gets hers while I am trying to make dinner. Thankfully, she is content to work her way through Letter Factory. ET is a bit harder to please. His choice is the last TV before bed. Last night his choice was Napolean Dynamite. Fun for all ages!

I know that right now may not be the best time to implement a plan like this. You know with the whole IT'S WINTER! thing. There is no playing outside, no going to the park or any other fun outdoor activities. I am pretty sure that the only thing that is making this plan even remotely possible is Valentine's Day, construction paper and stickers. Wish us luck!

(Side note: on the way to the doctor yesterday, I told the girls that it was going to snow again. Munckin groaned, and Thumbelina said, in a most wistful voice, "Oh, Mom. I miss summer!" Yeah, me too.)

St. Valentine

My kids have somehow figured out that the next holiday is Valentine's Day. I don't know who told them or why they are soooooo excited about it.

They have been making "Valentine cards" for the last week. Of course, their version of Valentine cards includes a piece of construction paper and as many stickers as they can stick on. (I am not complaining about this one because it did keep them entertained when I had to drag all three to the OB this morning.) I keep putting off the stamps and paint until Dad can help.

Every treat we make has to be valentine related. The cake for FHE treat? Pink frosting with cupid corn decorations.

Cupcakes? The same. I am not getting into the sugar cookie goodness until at least February.

Our house has been decorated with much more to do. After all, what good are doilies unless they are decorating something. I lost my Valentine decorations (which consisted of three votive candle holders) so I had to make new ones. Gotta love the Dollar Store!

The window got painted today--during naptime of course, and the doilies are going on the window tomorrow when I need them to be distracted while hubby is at school.

ET has already bought his Valentine cards, and asked his teacher how many kids are in his class.

The sad thing is: my kids think they are getting presents. I've tried to tell them that every holiday is not a present holiday. There was much confusion and a bit of anger on New Years. I told ET that he might get some candy and a little present. His face lit up as he asked, "Like a new BIKE?!!"

Try reasoning with an almost 6 year old. I am so losing!

The Best Husband In The World

World's greatest husband award goes to....mine! And here's why:

-He gets up every morning at 5am to go to work, and stays up late at night doing homework, but still lets me take a nap on Saturdays and Sundays.

-He is willing to cook if he is home.

-He understands my cravings, and is willing to drive through the snow to get them taken care of.

-He does everything for the first 5 months of my pregnancy, and carries the baby (when he's around) for the first nine months of it's life.

-He is okay with our dryer ironing system.

-Ramen is a totally acceptable dinner choice.

-He is a hands on Dad. During the week, I am in charge and he is my backup. On the weekends, he is in charge and I am just backup.

-If he is home and there is poop, he takes care of it.

-He understands a girl's need for a good steak.

-He only rolls his eyes a little when I am ready for bed at 8:30pm.

-He still loves me even though I fall asleep during every movie we rent.

-He gets up with crying kids at night.

-He bought me 200 pounds of ice melt so I don't have to shovel anymore.

-He goes along with my furniture rearranging without too much complaint...most of the time.

What more could a girl ask for?



I am thinking a new car...

5 Year Old Epiphany

My son is learning all sorts of new things. The world has opened up to him through his newfound reading and comprehension skills. He is always bringing some new information to our attention.

(Unlike his sister who just makes things up. For example, apparently 'I like you' is spanish for 'I love you.' And adding an 'us' to the end of any word is not to be challenged--just accepted. Such as, 'It's so freeze-us today.')

His new tidbit of knowledge: Free.

This week at Karate, they told him that a particular class cost $10, but if he brought a friend, it would be free.

In his own words, "I am going to bring a friend so you don't have to pay. I like free. Free means it doesn't cost any money."

This week we are teaching him about the expense of dry cleaning...due to his refusal to listen to my 'take your tie off before you eat! I can't just throw that in the washer!' refrain. I just hope his piggy bank holds out.

The End Of Etsy...Kinda

Some brilliant law makers passed a new bill to keep our children safe from toxic chemicals in their toys and playthings. However, the vagueness with which this bill was written will effectively put me out of business.

(Basically it states that in order to sell things intended for use by children 12 or under, I have to use a third party to safety test all of my products. This safety testing costs thousands of dollars...per item.)


While my pregnant body is rejoicing at the thought of never sewing again, my Paypal account is weeping. If they ever get this figured out, I will probably jump back on the Etsy wagon, but for now, I am done. Well, as done as I can be with three totes full of fleece sitting in my dining room.


Come February, I cannot sell any more baby toys. I think I am allowed to sell instructions still, but that doesn't help me get rid of any fleece!


We had a good run, Etsy. You mostly paid for Christmas this year. And look what I just ordered:

How cute are those?!

Anyway, now that I may have some free time, maybe I can finish up some of my own projects...like Thank you cards, or that blanket I started crocheting before ET was born, or the girls Christmas dresses that are effectively becoming their Valentine's dresses...or maybe I could just start with getting all my laundry folded.

Angelina Jolie's Got Nothin' On Us

Replaced

I may be out of a job.

No more dishes (ET and Thumbelina fight over who's turn it is to scrub the dishes), no more diaper changes (Munchkin is very patient with her big brother), and no more laundry folding since Thumbelina learned to fold clothes.

I could get used to this!

Pregnancy

Do you know how long pregnancy lasts?

Roughly forever.

I am due in May. Do you know how far away May is?! A whole freaking semester! My husband will have completed almost half of his total college completed during this pregnancy!

I have 115 days left. 115 days?! That is three digits!

I am 23 weeks pregnant. 23 weeks! And that is barely over half way!

(should we count all the exclamation points so far, people?!)

I guess it could be worse. I could be an elephant and not even a quarter of the way done yet.

And yet, I look at my maternity clothes and perhaps elephant isn't too far off...

Happy Birthday, Munchkin!

Today, (okay really, yesterday) Munchkin turns two. The balloons are up, the cake is ready and the presents are wrapped. All that's left is a look back at the last year.

On her first birthday, "sharing" her toys with her siblings. Still bald.

Got in touch with her inner diva:

Then she joined a gang.

And took care of the cat problem in the backyard:

And got into a fight with the TV:

She left the gang when she finally had enough hair for pigtails, but just barely:

Followed shortly therafter by her first haircut and de-mullet-ing.

Even a birthday girl needs her rest--notice the birthday card from Grandma by her bed.

Caterpillar cake (because Mom is pregnant and couldn't wrap her head around anything else!)

And then the party:

Oh wait, that's right. I didn't take any pictures of it! We had some family over, cake and ice cream, and lots of presents. Munchkin has been totally into Wow Wow Wubbzy for the past couple of months, and hubby happened upon a DVD. Munchkin screamed Wubbzy! Look it's Wow Wow Wubbzy! when she opened it! So now Munchkin has on demand wubbzy, and I have my DVR back.



One baby doll set, tinkerbelle backpack with extra baby accessories, books, bath submarine, and a zoo train from Grandma = one happy 2 year old and two jealous siblings.

Now if only we could get her hair to grow...

Meanie

Munchkin has a new favorite phrase:



"Hey! Why you being mean?!"

But best of all is the face that goes with it!

PS--

I am a little blah. I don't know how to describe what I am feeling. I tried to tell my husband and he laughed at me. We are having a girl. Our third girl. I was prepared for a boy. We (I) even had a name all picked out: Noah. Now I am not saying that I don't want this girl or that I am not thrilled at this new baby girl coming into our family. It's just that I was sure it would be a boy that would complete our family. I had been right on the other three so I was sure I was right with this one. So I find myself a little out of sorts, almost mourning the baby boy that never was. This is our last child, unless they figure a way for the men to have the babies...and then it is for sure our last one!

I think I have figured it out. We don't have a name for her. Not even a list that we like but can't decide between. I have been through my baby name book over and over. I have scoured the internet and I can't seem to find a name that I love. So this is where you come in, oh faithful readers. I need a name that is normal enough, but not common.

Does that make sense? Oh yeah, and it can't have any negative ties to anyone in my or hubby's past. Can you help me? Please help me!

Sisters

I am very close to my older sister. She is 13 months older. So when I was pregnant with Munchkin, I wanted a girl so badly. So here are my two girls:









They play together well, and they fight well. But what kind of sisters would they be if they didn't?!

PS--Check out my new baby:
All 25 shiny pounds of her!

It's My Party

And I'll dance how I want to.

New Years Celebration

After two weeks off work, and sleeping in (for him anyway), hubby goes back to work tomorrow starting at the ungodly hour of 6 am. So we are trying to go to bed early tonight--you know, like maybe by 10.

So this is a quick post to catch up on New Year's before the Week of the Munchkin begins. That's right. Munchkin turns 2 on Friday so this week is all about her...starting tomorrow.

New Years Eve: Hubby filled in at McGrath's so it was up to me to rock the party.

Dinner was chips and dip with Sparkling Apple Cider (or spicy apple juice).

Movie and popcorn followed in the playroom.

At about 8:15 ET told me the girls needed to go to bed...because they were already asleep!

ET made it until about 9:30 before he passed out.

Sleepover in the playroom. Munchkin's first. She woke up twice and Thumbelina woke up three times from her sore throat.

Early to bed, early to rise. 6:30am to be exact.

ET expected more presents. I told him he got a brand new year. He was not impressed.

Hope everyone is getting back into the swing of things. Life starts again for us tomorrow.