Ready For The Weekend

I'm ready for the weekend because the house is clean...as in the cleanest it's been in a long time!

I've just spent the past hour and a half sweeping and mopping all of the hardwood floors and the tile in the bathrooms. I scrubbed toilets and wiped counters and dusted while Maggie & Ellie were playing this morning before we went to the grocery store. I clean something every single day, but Saturday and Sunday I do very little. On Saturday, I'll sweep or wipe the counters in the bathrooms and I usually do a load of laundry on Sunday night so that it's waiting to fold on Monday morning. I pick up things and wipe up messes and spills and vacuum crumbs every single day of my life. Very seldom does the entire house feel clean all at once. I feel like I'll actually have a clean house to start the weekend off!

Big Daddy is finishing finals as we speak, so we'll have an evening of family time! Unfortunately, they are doing some sort of inventory (of what, I don't know) at his work, so he'll be working tomorrow. We haven't had a Saturday with Big Daddy home the entire month of April and he's been working long hours and trying to prepare for finals, so it's been stressful and I've been a little lonely.

We have no plans for the next couple of days other than playing and Church. For the first weekend all year, they'll be no homework!

I'm starting to think that I'm the only one...

that has EVER questioned the pediatrician/nurse practitioner about vaccinations.

Maggie had her four year old well check-up today and we were surprised to hear that she was "due" four vaccines. The nurse nonchalantly told me what there were four and I guess she could tell that I was surprised by the look on my face. She said the doc would be back to explain the importance of all of the shots. You know, things like she has to have them before she can go to school. (Oh does she really??) As soon as the nurse left I called Big Daddy to tell him that Muff was supposed to get four shots and we decided what to eliminate and what to give her. About that time Miss Muffin said she'd "had enough and was leaving now".

We have always discussed vaccinations and Maggie's former pediatrician (oh how I miss Dr. Gregory) always advised me on which ones to give and which ones I could skip. (I'm not at all against all vaccinations, but Big Daddy and I have issues with the government trying to tell us what our kids need.) This office seems to think that I should smile, hold my girl down and let them go at it. (I'm sure they are already looking forward to Ellie's one year visit in a few weeks when I question them again.) Long story short, Maggie was amazing and had part of the vaccinations. She's in the 7oth percentile for height and 40th percentile for weight. Her eyes tested well and so did her ears after the doc removed a major piece of wax from one ear.

I have lots more that I could share, but I must do more research on vaccinations for a 1 year old...a girl's gotta know what she's not going to get. I'm also working on plans for our Disney World trip (this Winter) and trying to decide if I want to attempt to homeschool Maggie in 2011.

What's been going on

We have been really busy around here! Of course, Maggie celebrated her fourth birthday...and celebrated and celebrated and celebrated.

The celebration started on Saturday with her little "My Little Pony" party...

and she looked like this after the guests left. I think she likes the bathing suit that Nana & Pawpaw gave her and the Tinkerbell wings from Callie. She may have kept this outfit on and wore it to dinner. :-)

On her real birthday (Sunday) we went to Church(she wore the dress that Aunt Lisa gave her, but I failed to get a picture) and then out to lunch at Cracker Barrel after that. She expected another party and was a little disappointed. She missed her last Children's Choir practice because she was tired, cranky and just plain old out of sorts. Nana & Pawpaw came by for a visit and our nice neighbors, Mr. Kyle and Ms. Laura and doggy Slater gave her a fun present.

Yesterday we had our final celebration at preschool.

To say that the past couple of weeks have been busy and stressful is a huge understatement. Big Daddy is trying to finish some kind of major project at work and preparing for his final and I've been parenting alone pretty much every single day and night.

Big Daddy doesn't do a lot of "caring" for the girls, but he occupies Ellie so that I can wash dishes and clean up the kitchen every night. We bathe Maggie & Ellie together so he usually watches them play in the bath tub while I'm getting their rooms ready for bedtime or putting laundry away and he puts Ellie in her pajamas (after I've put her moisturizer on and diapered her) while I wash Maggie's hair. Big Daddy hasn't been getting home until after 8:00, so Maggie played games on the computer while I was putting Ellie down.

I've been a little lonely, so we went to my mom and dad's house one evening with a mission: to go across the road and feed our cousins' "baby" calf! The calf is about to be weaned and has just joined all of the big cows in the pasture. Maggie and Cousin Callie helped our cousin Heather hold the big bottle, while Ellie watched and squealed!

Ellie wasn't so sure about swinging on a "horse", but she loved watching Maggie and Callie play with our younger cousins, Brooklyn and Cassidy. Maggie has decided she'd like to stay "all day and night" at their house!

We had an amazing speaker at Church on Sunday. Don Piper is the author of "90 Minutes in Heaven" and he told his amazing story of dying, going to Heaven and then coming back to life. Big Daddy and I are planning to hopefully read his book this summer.

If This Is Four Can I Kindly Have Three Back ?

Let's just say The Muffin had a happy birthday party, but most of the rest of the weekend she was an emotional wreck! She had numerous breakdowns and was just a wild child, but...she is four.

One of the highlights of the weekend for me was making a Disney Princess cape for Maggie (with my mom's help because I have totally forgotten how to sew). She ran through my parents' yard to see what it looked like when she ran and she looked at her reflection in the glass door. On the way home, she asked if she could wear it when we went on our walk. Of course, I said yes. Big Daddy surprised us by coming home early and taking us out to our favorite chicken sandwich and Sweet Tea place. Muffin wore the cape to dinner and when we went shopping after. Her favorite store was Anthropologie and I think she touched every little thing in the store. I wish I could share a picture of her in the cape, but I think she's trying to protect her identity by refusing to pose for photographs

I'll try to post a few pictures of our weekend and fill you in on my crazy-exciting life tomorrow.

Happy Birthday, Maggie

Today you are four years old!!

On the day you were born we went to the hospital early in the morning.

We waited and waited.

And then Peggy said it was time to move things along.

Something went wrong and your heart started to beat too slow.

She said that they had to get you out very quick or you might die.

I prayed and prayed that you would be safe and they took me to surgery really fast.

Daddy and Nana and Sharalee and Callie and Bubba all waited.

Ms. Theresa took pictures of everyone getting you out of my belly.
Daddy couldn't be in the room with us because they put me to sleep, so it was a few minutes before they opened the blinds to the little room where he was waiting with Nana.

Daddy could hear you crying and they only let him see you for a second before they closed the blinds again.

And then magic happened and...

Daddy carried you into the nursery and held your finger for a long time while you cried because you wanted back inside of my warm, cozy belly. Then the nurses wrapped you in a blanket and he sat in the rocking chair and held you.

I woke up in a little room and the nurse told me that you were okay. I had to ask if you were a boy or a girl because I didn't even know. Ms. Theresa came in and said that there was a hungry baby that wanted her mommy and I wanted to get to you so bad.

The next day, Peggy told me all about what had happened and I found out about Vasa Previa and Velamentous Cord Insertion for the first time.

You can go here to read the whole story.

April 21

I try not to make a big deal out of every "anniversary" day, but today is the anniversary of Maggie's due date.

I've only cried twice.

I Am Woman Hear Me Roar

Ellie played in the pack-n-play long enough for me to clean both bathrooms this morning.

My mom invited Maggie to go home with her after lunch and then is taking her to the mall when Callie gets home from school and maybe to my cousin's "farm" to bottle feed a calf.

I just finished mowing and weed-eating and blowing the grass off of the driveway and sidewalk...while Baby Ellie slept and I listened to her on the monitor.

So...

We've spent the past week doing lots of stuff, but not really anything that exciting.

I've had a setback with my asthma and have had major trouble breathing since last Wednesday. I'm seriously doubting that the new medications I'm on are going to keep things under control and I want my old drugs back! I'm going to try and get over this flare up and see how I feel before I go back to the doctor. I haven't had to call 911 yet, although I was close a couple of times, so I'll make it through.

I've have spent lots of my "free" time each day watering the grass. I think we have decided that the grass will grow and prosper if we continue to throw money at it. Please play for a few of those April showers.

I've finally finished getting all of the birthday stuff for Maggie's parties. Thank goodness she's having a small family party because I couldn't handle a big one with lots of kids to entertain. I bought the last of the stuff for her preschool party today. I'll post more on the parties after they are over with.

Ellie and Maggie are healthy and happy and keeping me busy! Ellie really is into everything these days! I think the highlight of every single one of my days is watching the girls play and interact together. I love when they make each other laugh.

Maggie has requested a baby brother and a trip to Disney World. I bet you can guess which one we'll probably get for her!!! I have NO idea how she knows about Disney World, but we have been watching Disney movies lately. So far we have seen Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. Big Daddy and I hadn't seen the majority of the classics, so we've enjoyed them too. Maggie is now Princess-obsessed!She bought Cinderella with her Easter money from Grandma.

Reunited and it feels so good!

Big Daddy left the laptop for me because apparently Panera is not compatible with writing a paper. I'll still be somewhat solo this week because he has to get some school stuff taken care of. I'm also going to try to stay away from the computer some and see if I can do the chores that I keep putting off.

Our normally quiet Tuesday has been anything but quiet. The Muffin remembered that it's "The Week of The Young Child" and insisted that we go to a play in a local downtown park. (Every week is The Week Of The Young Child around here!)We shared a blanket with her friend from preschool, Sara. I think Ellie probably played more attention to the play than the big girls did, but a good time was had by all!After nap (assuming that Maggie actually goes to sleep!) I'm taking the girls to Nana's so that I can mow and water the yard. Should be fun since my asthma is acting up and I'm dizzy and have double ear aches.

Anyway...here are a few pics from the past few days.

Big Daddy and Maggie on there way to the "Noah's Ark Pajama Party" at Church.

Baby Ellie reenacting the banana incident.

Ellie & Maggie have started "baking" daily. Maggie found all of my supplies for the upcoming birthday parties and they play with this stuff for the longest time. (Yes, she always bake without her pants!!)

Ellie always double checks the pantry closet for extra supplies.

Maggie watching the play.

I Think We're On A Break

Me and my computer and me and Big Daddy. He has lots of work and school stuff going on right now, so I'm in charge of the house and he's in charge of the computer. He was so sorry to be taking the laptop away from me! As if I have nothing else to do!! So, I'll be on a break from writing and reading blogs for at least a few days. Big Daddy will be working late and then going to Panera (poor baby!) to do school work after that. I've been watering the grass for two hours and I'll be mowing tomorrow while my mom has the girls. Ellie & I also bought flowers while The Muffin was in preschool today. They are anxiously awaiting a new spot of dirt!

We had an okay weekend. Maggie & Big Daddy had fun at he pajama party while Ellie & I cleaned house. I have a few cute pictures, but I refuse to upload them on this computer because it's painfully slow.

We mourned the passing of "The Coroner" Munchkin from The Wizard of Oz. I guess you could say that he was our favorite. Big Daddy had his picture taken with him in October of 2004 at "Autumn in Oz".

I also heard this morning that Dixie Carter had passed away. I LOVED the show "Designing Women" and thought she was such a smart and attractive lady.

On another note, Ellie loves bananas so much that she ate through the peeling of one at the grocery store today! I have a picture but once again refuse to upload it. I put the bananas as far away as I could get them because she got a little excited when she spotted them. I turned around to get something off of a shelf and she had ripped one from the bunch and was biting through the peeling. I took it away, but let her eat it for snack when we arrived home.

One of my favorite things that happened this weekend was watching "The Diary of Anne Frank" on PBS. (you know we don't pay for tv around here!) I didn't watch the last 20 minutes because it just made my heart hurt so bad. I thought about the movie for the longest time after I went to bed. I tried to think of alternate, happy endings. I loved the movie when I watched it in school and that's totally why I wanted to name a baby boy Peter!

I'm sure there have been more exciting things happening around here that I should report, but the house and laundry will not take care of themselves.

Until next time...

The Weekend Ahead

Maggie has a "Noah's Ark Pajama Party" at Church tonight and her Big Daddy has graciously offered (or was told!!) to take her. She's so excited! It's only for a couple of hours, but it was an excuse to buy a new Spring/Summer Tinkerbell gown! Ellie & I will have our own pajama party at home!!

Maggie's birthday party is only two weeks away and I need to buy a couple of things to round out her gifts. I'm hoping to get this taken care of tomorrow because I cannot do it alone. Big Daddy needs to work on a project for school, so I'm not sure if he'll be able to go. I can shop while wearing Ellie, but Maggie can't be in the same store or she'll sneak a peek at what I buy.

I desperately need to shop for new clothes. I donated lots of stuff when we moved last summer because I was 39 weeks pregnant and did not care that I may actually want or need the clothes again. It's just not very conducive to shop and attempt to try on clothes with children in tow.

Maggie and I finally put the letters from her old room up today. I wanted to paint them, but she wants to leave them pink. I have an idea for a project to put in her room and I need something for Ellie's room.

Hopefully, I'll get at least one thing marked off of my list by Monday!

Happy weekend!

I think it's called homesick

(Maggie & Ellie's new stash of animals. The little ones are from "Aunt" Fran and the big ones are from "Gammy Gladys")


As my mom likes to remind me, there was a time that I wanted to be here.
It was home.

Now, I can't help but think that there (Sanford) is home.And I long to be there.

I was excited and anxious about going to Sanford. I wanted to see all of our old friends so bad. There was another part of me that was afraid that I wouldn't want to leave. That part of me was sort of right. We were there from about 10:00 until 3:00 and I wasn't ready to leave. There were so many places that we wanted to drive by. Little glimpses into our old life.

Maggie & Ellie loved seeing Gammy Gladys! Ellie didn't even want to come to me when it was time to leave. I think they would have been perfectly happy to have stayed at her house all day.

We left there and met up with our friends at a local restaurant. Ms. A and I arrived at the same time, so we went in with our two big kids and two babies and requested three highchairs. The waitress said something about us having our hands full and then Ms. K and E walked in and she met the rest of our party. Of course, we were seated in the center of the restaurant. Ellie squealed and spit milk all over the floor, E & C made dinosaur noises and Maggie explained the entire plot of "Sleeping Beauty" to Ms. K & Ms. A. We took turns holding a sleeping Baby T and talked and talked and talked. We all miss the old times, but things would have changed no matter what. The big kids were all starting preschool, our Kindermusik teacher decided to take a full-time teacher's position and A & I were having babies.

After lunch we went to the playground at a local Church. It happens to be C's preschool and right across the street from our old neighborhood. The kids went their separate ways, but reunited as we said goodbye.

E was getting tired and didn't want his picture taken!

Ms. A and I are already talking about a future marriage.

Maggie refused hugs from the boys...

so they hugged each other.

She's Not The Only One On Spring Break

This is a happy girl!!



The Muffin is on Spring break from preschool this week and we are taking full advantage of it!

You can't tell, but Baby Ellie is super-excited too!

We finished all of the laundry...

and cleaned up all of the toys...

and then kissed our Easter candy goodbye.

Now we're free to visit our special friends in Sanford!

Baby Ellie You Are 10 Months Old

Baby Ellie, you are 10 months old!!

You are still a very happy baby and such a delight to be around.
You like staying in the nursery at church and you love when we have visitors at our house.
You love playing outside and you like to feel of the grass.
The lawnmower makes you squeal.
You love to eat anything that we give you and you really like to feed yourself finger foods.
You can climb the stairs now and we really think you'll be walking before too much longer.
You have three teeth on the bottom (with one more about to pop out) and two teeth on the top (with two more non the way very soon).
You love to go in Maggie's room and get books off of her bookshelf.
You still like for Mommy to wear you in the sling or the Baby K'tan, but you like riding in the stroller for short periods of time too.

Baby Ellie, we love you so much!

It Was Easter

I took tons of pictures of Maggie and Ellie before Church on Sunday morning and these are the only ones that are even the slightest bit good.
Maggie will pose for candy. :-)

And yes, Big Daddy totally has a black eye from a little full contact fighting from last weekend.

Ellie wore the dress that was Maggie's first Easter dress.

(She only wore the headband for pictures.)

It is nearly impossible to get a picture where both girls are smiling or looking at the camera or where Maggie's arms aren't suddenly missing.

Aunt Lisa tried to get pictures of Maggie, Ellie and Callie and she found out that it's really a hard thing to do.

Maggie can tell the Easter story using Resurrection Eggs, but I think I told the "He is risen" part at least 75 times yesterday.
She has started the countdown to April 25 and keeps asking when it will be Fall.
The questions never end!