Better not hear

After the time and money I spent this morning stocking the pantry and freezer, I know there are certain words I had better NOT hear.

Looking at these pictures ...... what do you think those words are?!

I had better not hear the words..... "There's nothing to eat in this house."

With the baby due in the next 4 weeks, I made my grocery list.  Checked it twice.  Typed it in E.xcel.  Printed it off.  Grabbed my clipboard and calculator.  Headed to the grocery store.  I bought a cart full.... actually, overloaded a cart with as many groceries as it would hold.  Even overheard a lady say, "Now that's a lot of groceries," as I was walking out the door.

I've made sure food won't be an issue the next month or so.  Pantry is stocked.  Freezer is somewhat stocked.  I've still got to buy my meats for the freezer.  But, I'm getting ready for this little one to arrive........ first, by making sure my husband and older two boys don't have to worry about food!

Happy Birthday to him

Wanting to wish my sweet husband a very Happy Birthday!!!  We celebrated at lunch yesterday because TH is working tonight.  The boys and I did surprise him with a piece of birthday cake tonight after he went into work.  We got to tell him our "G'nights" and our "I loves you"s in person instead of over the phone.

Happy Birthday, Babe!!! Hope you had a great day and a good night.

Love you,
Your wife and boys.

Alone

Last night....... I had the house COMPLETELY to myself.  TH was working.  The boys and I went to my parents' for dinner, and they both wanted to stay.  I got back home around 7 pm and was ALONE!  Oh.... it was heavenly!!  There were clothes to be washed, dishwasher to unload and a sink full of dishes to put in the dishwasher...... I did NONE of it!

Nothing..... that's what my night consisted of.  I played on the computer, took a long bath and read a book.  I forget at times what it's like to just sit down and have no one other than myself to take care of.  It sure was nice.  I'm already seeing if maybe I can work it out to have one for night like that before the baby comes.

Alone for this lady = pure happiness!

Brothers

What are two brothers to do on a rainy Friday?  Watch their neighbor use a tractor to do some grading in his yard of course!

As you can see,  Lil Man and Baby Boy entertained themselves watching our neighbor on his tractor.

"Do you need something Daddy?  We're busy here.  Eating our snack and watching the tractor."

Quite a fabulous way to keep them still and entertained while I cleaned floors! TH was doing a little cleaning himself.  We were both being very productive, and the boys were doing something they loved..... watching a tractor!  And let's not leave out the fact, they were keeping their hands to themselves!!

240

That's the number of times the smoke detector's alarm beeped last night....... from 4:00 am til 6:00 am.  It went off every 30 seconds.  I thought I was going to lose it.  The one night BB slept ALL night which he hasn't done is months.  Go freakin figure!

I called TH when the detector started beeping.  He informed me the ladder was in the basement and for me not to get it.  My instructions were "Do not get the ladder."  and "Do not attempt to try to get to the detector." 

I wanted to scream.  Finally, around 5 am I fell back sleep.  With a pillow over my head.  I was worried about not hearing my child cry out but I so wanted to sleep.

240 beeps!  May I not hear that sound for a long, long while!! 

If I hear it once, I hear it many, many times

I remember the day when I couldn't wait to hear the word "Mama".  It was distressing at times when LM wasn't saying it when all of his peers were.  I just wanted to hear my sweet boy say it.

Now, there are days when I laugh at myself ...... laugh hysterically actually.  Days when I wonder if I could go one day without hearing the word.  Talk about a complete 180! Ha!

Don't get me wrong.  When I walk in the door and hear two little boys running to me yelling, "Mama! Mama!", it totally warms my heart.  But the days when the boys and I are home all day together, I hear "Mama.  Mama.  Mama." on repeat.  I want to pull my hair out on those days.  I think both the boys just like saying the word at times..... or they realize I'm on the verge of going bananas and just want to see how far they can drive me bonkers.

Baby Boy is now in the habit of saying, "Mama do it."  He wants me to do everything for him.  Daddy can't do anything.  TH told me this afternoon BB cried for 10 mins because he wanted Mama to open some candy for him..... the problem?!  I wasn't home!  It was just BB and TH.  I could only roll my eyes.  I know part of it is due to TH's new schedule.  I'm having to do a lot more the day to day things with the boys.  TH spends more fun time with them these days because of his schedule.  The other night (this was in the wee hours of the morning) TH had been upstairs with BB.  He comes back into our bedroom and says, "He told me to leave.  You might have to go up there."  My response, "You can go tell him that Mama isn't coming up.  Daddy can rock him or he can cry himself back to sleep."  I hate leaving TH to deal with BB if he's crying for me like crazy or make BB go through that....... but that night, I needed sleep!

Lil Man wants me to watch him a lot of times do something.  So he'll say, "Mama. Mama. Mama."  He'll continue to say it until he gets me to respond and knows I'm paying attentin.  Most of the time it's just easier to pay attention the first time I hear the word rather than hear it another 20 times. 

Just another reason to enjoy being a mom.  :)  Heaven forbid we forget our title!!

Those were the days. Or were they?

We've been trying to get this house super organized.  Changing a few rooms around to accommodate Baby on the Way.  The bonus room has been a big storage room for us from day one.  We've lived in our house for 7 years now.  Now, it's becoming a playroom.  I want 95% of all the boys' toys in there.  They can have a place to play and not worry if toys are scattered from one end of the room to another. 

Anyway..... I've been going through all the stuff we've had stored in there.  There were three piles..... donate, trash, keep.  The "keep" pile really only consisted of baby stuff, photos and a few furniture pieces.  The "donate" pile was rather large.  If it has been in that room for more than 2 years, we obviously have no use for it.  Off it went to benefit someone else! 

The photos...... oh the photos!  Most of them were from college days.  Truthfully, what hit me first was how freakin skinny I was.  Oh man!  It sure didn't help that I'm sitting there looking at them as I'm 33 weeks pregnant.  Oh, but it sure is inspiration!!  I decided I'm going to tape a photo to my mirror to give me encouragement (AFTER this baby is born!) to look like that again.  I know I can do it but it will require lots of hard work.  I played collegiate softball which meant I worked out all the time.  I was living in a dorm so I ate most meals in the cafeteria.....aka I didn't eat a whole lot because the food wasn't the best in the world.  I lived off salads.  And let's not forget, I'm on pregnancy #3!  BUT! That's just a bunch of excuses..... I WANT to look like that again.  And I WILL look like that again.

While I absolutely loved my college, I wouldn't trade where I am to go back.  I'm married to a wonderful man.  Have 2 awesome boys with a third on the way.  I will say the stress these days is a heck of a lot more than my college days.... I still wouldn't trade it.  The stress is just part of being an adult.  Knowing that some things I can change; some things I can't.  But as I'm snuggled in bed at night with my husband, I thank the good Lord for what I have.  I could do away with 1/2 of it and still be the happiest person ever..... because I've got a family that I love and a family that loves me! 

So, yes.... those were the days..... but these days, they kick ass!! And I'm sure the days to come will only kick it even more.

Wordless Wednesday

Recap of Christmas 2011 - Part II

The night before Christmas...... TH and his boys!

Our family tree.

The boys' tree.... notice the blue lights! They're boys, duh! So their tree needs to be special.

Christmas morning!! And two excited little boys!

Checking out all the goodies.

Their new ride!

Daddy putting together a new toy.

New toys and even Jake got a present... a dog bone!

Our annual Christmas morning photo..... pj style!

Christmas morning is such a magical time.  I've always thought so but since I've had children and as they get older, I think it even more so now.  We have great family but having these special moments with just us four..... priceless!  (Soon to be 5 of course!)  Christmas is Jesus' birthday so at breakfast we had a birthday cake, blew out the candle and sang Happy Birthday!..... he is the reason for the season!



32 Weeks

How far along:  32 Weeks & 0 Days

Baby-related purchases: I haven't purchased a thing! For Christmas, I asked for a new bedding set and received it.  Other than that.... no new items for this kiddo.  He might get something new by his 2nd birthday. Ha!

Maternity Clothes: For sure! 

Best moment this week:  Having BB want to name is baby brother "Truck".  He doesn't really understand the concept of course.  TH and I were debating names so I decided to ask BB want he wanted the name to be..... Truck!

Strangest moment this week:  Nothing strange.

Movement: Not feeling tiny, sweet kicks and jabs any more.  You can see my belly move and jump around from the outside.  Funny and freaky at the same time. 

Food cravings:  Not craving a whole lot.  Just trying to eat a lot of fruit because it doesn't make me feel blah. Trying to drink tons of water too.

Gender: BOY!

Belly button in or out: Not in.... not out.  Pretty flat.  As my husband informed me, "You don't have a belly button any more."

What I miss:  Normal clothes.  I got several things for Christmas and can't wait to wear them.  And.... the occasional glass of wine.

What I'm looking forward to:  Getting the name finalized!! No, we haven't officially decided.  I think we're pretty set on a middle.... just got to agree on a first name.  And meeting this little guy!!!

Weekly Wisdom:  Being organized.  TH is about to start a new work schedule and in doing so, I've got to be on my game!  I am making it a priority and trying to make it a habit to be super organized and prepared.  The sooner I do so, the easier it will be when we become a family of 5.

Recap of Christmas 2011 - Part I

Christmas is always a fun time when kids are involved I think.  We started our Christmas celebrations on Friday, the 23rd with TH's family.  I was a total slacker and forgot my camera.  I know! What kind of mom am I?!  I've got to get pics from my MIL.  On the 24th, we celebrated with my mom's family.  And on Christmas Day, S.anta visited the boys at our house then we were off to my parents' for a late breakfast and after that headed to my Dad's parents' house to celebrate with them. 

 Family shot!

My sweet boys!  I cracked up when I saw this.  It's a true shot of day to day life.

 BB with his Nana on Christmas Day.

Uncle K and his nephews. Could BB not be my brother's child?! It never fails to amaze me when I see the two of them together.

Group shot on Christmas morning.

My sweet Grandma-ma!

Aunt B with Trouble! (That look in his eyes.... it's always there and typically he's always up to no good!)

"Be Happy"

Last night, TH and I were chilling after putting the boys to bed.  I was playing around on my phone just waiting for BB to start crying again while TH was watching a football game.  I think I had already been to his room 2 times after putting him to bed the initial time.  Needless to say, I was feeling a little annoyed by this point.

Then I had a random thought...... "What's your New Year's resolution?" I asked TH.  His response, "Be happy."  I just sat there a minute and took that it.  Then asked, "What do you mean?"  He followed up with, "To be happy and not stress over things."

Pretty good New Year's resolution in my opinion.  He asked me what mine was but I haven't put any thought into it and hadn't planned on having one.  But you know what?  I think I'll highjack his.

Here's to 2012 and just BEING HAPPY!  Taking each day as it comes. Doing the best I can do and being okay with that.  Not stressing over things I can't change.  Not feeling the need to be busy and on the go.  Enjoying each day and being happy with what the day brings.