"I'll have some of the uh, yellow."

Simple Woman's Daybook - Monday

Daybook idea from this blog.

Outside my window...Bright sunshine and a drying up back yard after a long night of rain and hail.

I am thinking...I need to sort some laundry.

I am thankful for...A wonderful weekend that started on Friday with a visit from my mom and dad. They watched the kids for me while I ran errands, and then we got to visit over some hot tomato soup and warm bread. Then we had our house blessing (a visit from our priest and deacon in which prayers are said and the house gets blessed with Holy Water in each room) on Saturday, a fun evening with some friends (and I was given chocolate cake and Mexican Hot Cocoa -mmmmmm). Then on Sunday our church was blessed to have the Myrrh-Streaming Iveron Icon from Hawaii during Divine Liturgy. The scent was so beautiful and it was a true encouragement to my weak faith.

From the learning rooms...I am expecting a phone call back from a home school charter to discuss with an education specialist starting my daughter in Kindergarten next Fall. We will begin reading Charlotte's Web today and finish our Children's Bible Reader tonight before bed. James continues to learn about all the properties of water as he satisfies his obsession with spray bottles, taking baths, and helping me with the dishes.

From the kitchen...A large pile of clean dishes await to be tucked neatly into their places. Some beef stew is the plan for tonight's dinner.

I am wearing...A gray turtleneck, jammie pants (only because my two maternity pants are dirty) and my most favorite slippers that my husband gave me for Christmas.

I am creating...An organized living space for my family as I am getting rid of lots of clutter. You could also call it nesting.

I am going...to stay home today.

I am reading...lots of short articles and children's books. When I am pregnant I just can't seem to keep my eyes open long enough to read novels.

I am hoping...To give birth soon. But realistically I'm going to remain pregnant for a few more weeks - which arguably is considered soon, but it doesn't feel soon.

I am hearing...Pandora Radio. Electric President's Ten Thousand Lines is currently playing.

Around the house...I've got a sleeping toddler on my bed, and my four year old is in her room beside the mirror applying sparkly lip gloss. The usual messes of blankets, books, and toys are scattered in the living room. I've got a massive pile of laundry to deal with as soon as the diapers finish in the washer.

One of my favorite things...is the new closet and carpet in the kid's room. The storage in the closet is spectacular. I actually like going into their bedroom now. I am so stupid-happy about it - mostly because their room used to make me want to cry.

A few plans for the rest of the week: A visit to a kid's museum, an OB appointment (I get to go every week now - oh the joy) a park day, the usual errands to run.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...Nothing new - a picture from my grandmother's funky back yard. Because I'm feeling a little funky today, but in a good way. :)

Scattered Showers, Quiet Day

Today is:

Letting the boy play in the backyard with his spray bottle, shovel, and sandbox until the rain brings us in.

Being thankful for yesterday's library trip stocking us up on plenty of great books to occupy our time.

Kids helping wipe down the kitchen and washing the dishes in warm soapy water.

Rest for a mom's aching bones.

Snuggling.

Make believe. In fact I must go to my "doctor appointment" I am running late for. Dr. Hannah frowns upon tardiness.
OH! And today is sweet Jenny's birthday. Happy Birthday! Enjoy this sort of rainy day!

Spray Bottle with Water + Dog = Endless Fun

Poor dog.

Silly kid.

8 Months

The number of shirts that completely cover my ample belly have quickly dwindled. That, and the warm weather has had me scrambling over what to wear. But no fear! I have delved into my husbands drawers for maternity wardrobe extenders - also known as those white undershirts commonly (however tacky) referred to as "wife beaters."
Oh where has the time gone? That's me and my baby belly bump as of today. It's itchy, is constantly twitching and moving, and has begun limiting my mobility. Yesterday I was trying to squeeze by a small space and I actually tried to "suck it in". Of course I rolled my eyes at myself after that.

I have about a month or so left of being in this state. I'm not too worried about the birth and the pain and all that (for some reason), but I am freaking out just a little about becoming a mother of three. I get lots of "You've got your hands full," comments at the grocery store as it is. And I feel like poor James is going to be very put out by this new little bundle.

But alas, we are making our preparations. The minivan has been purchased, the doula secured, plans for locking down a co-sleeper being made, and cloth diaper sites being perused. Jason even got a new closet system for the kids which involved Ikea, and possible plans to re-carpet their bedroom or "nursery." I started doing a little chirping in his ear that I would like to not be living in chaos a week before I give birth (like last time) - so he reved up his sense of urgency to get things in order and is doing a swell job of papa bird nesting.

Here is a list of stuff I'm hoping to get done:

1. Completely detail and organize my dingy kitchen. I may be willing to pay someone to do this as bending down to scrub the bottoms of cabinets is increasing in difficulty in my, uh, condition.

2. Prepare huge portions of meals to stock away in my freezer. There will be some difficulty in this, as well, since this baby will most likely be born right before Lent, and Jason will be fasting. Any of you Orthodox mamas have ideas for me?

3. Find a bookshelf, as well as decide the best place for it in our house for the kids since their room will be changed around with the new closet/wardrobe. All their books will have to go somewhere else.

4. Stock up and plan on activities to keep Hannah busy and engaged during those early days of me sitting on the couch nursing for long periods of time. Any ideas for this? I don't even know what to do about James! Thankfully, he's just started to like books. I just REEAALLY don't want to use the tv/movies too much.

That's all I can think of for now. Poor Jason's list is longer and much more labor intensive. Either way, however strenuous the parenting gig is, we do love the family life. I'm so excited to see if this is another blond baby or maybe, just maybe he or she will look just a little like me. I saw a newborn yesterday at the park and it brought back all the memories of their sweetness and fetal movements that are so achingly adorable. And then they turn into these funny little people with their own minds and voices. I'm so happy to have these blessings.

So Wrong.

Have you people heard about this? (You have to scroll down pretty far to get to the post.)

Seriously? Really? Is this for real?

I myself have a really great second-hand children's store I love and visit often. I also go to the thrift store on a pretty regular basis for kids clothes and games/puzzles. This is something the gov't. needs to butt out of and make the manufacture companies pay - not hardworking families and small businesses. AARGH!