A Walk in the Forest

We took a walk through a local forest last week to see the blue bells. The girls loved it.

Yesterday we were without a car so we did what we could to stay entertained all day. Relaxing, crafting (even more fun when your table is pulled next to momma's desk), and playing in the sandbox.

I added some bibs and burp cloths to my registry. The only thing that I need and didn't register for is a high chair and I think I can find one of those used at the used clothing store or a garage sale. The crib sheet should arrive on Monday and then I can get the fabric to make the skirt and a quilt...can't wait.  Then it's just the long wait. The first 6 months have flown by but the next 3 I know will D....R....A.....G!!

Birthday

Kendall's birthday is coming up and I was really struggling with what to get her. After some searching I'm really excited with what I came up with.

She has been really interested in the human body and how it works lately so I picked up this book.

As I was walking up and down the aisles at Target I was becoming really frustrated by all the loud and plastic toy options. I had much better luck at Barnes and Noble. She loves crafts so I decided to run with that. I picked up this fancy 'coloring book' and a large set of thin markers. Love these designs, can't wait to color a few myself!

 Here is an example of the different types of designs in the book: 

Next I went to the drawing book section. We have always loved Ed Emberley drawing books and I found this fun "Picture Pie" book by him. Basically it gives you a stencil that you use to draw different sized basic shapes (mostly circles) then you cut the circles--some in half, some in quarters) to create pictures. I took it one step further and picked up these colorful circle stickers. I have found that they have small ones just like this and I'm going to go back and grab those too--for the animals' eyes!

I grabbed a little art journal to keep all her artwork contained in. Honestly this was more for me then her, I could foresee pieces of paper all over the house with stickers on them. Swung through the giftwrap aisle for a little reusable tote to carry all her new goods in.

And for a little added fun we picked up this game at the suggestion of Jennie. Bingo (well, really Zingo)---but it helps with sight words. 

More of a Week

Losing steam on the Week in the Life but it's still okay because it's making me get back in the habit of taking pictures and recording. I have still been doing it every day but I know I'm missing stuff. Here are a few of my favorite photos.

A Chick's Baby List

First, yesterday I ordered Jack's crib sheet from Serena and Lily. I plan on making the crib skirt to match the one from that line.

Once those come in I'm going to match fabric to make a quilt. A very very simple quilt!

Now on to the fun stuff. Little this and that's that are baby related that I think are great!

I'm loving the brand "Plan Toys" for baby stuff. A couple favorites:

The Dancing Alligator, The Stacking Tree and their tethers or rattles.

Another classic favorite: Sophie the Giraffe!

This! These are our colors and the perfect artwork for the nursery. Also, really love this print (maybe more!?)

Etsy just has so many great prints, I think this one is cute too--the 'pumpkin' color line.

Hmmm, I could keep going. Better stop myself. Just one more cute line for the big girls. Reminds me of the boardwalk and Ocean City!

A Week

A bit of a hodge podge post today. I've been trying to record a "Week in our Life" this week. I realize that our routines and rhythms are about to all change and I'm excited to have the way we do things now documented. Basically I'm taking photos (when I remember--I'm so out of that habit), saving pieces of everything (receipts, appointment cards...) and journaling a little each night. Next week I'll print the photos and combine everything in a little book that I've roughly assembled and have waiting. Here are a few of my favorite shots.

Coming next, a Chick's List of Baby goods!

Enjoying the Ride

We went on a long bike ride this weekend. The girls seemed to really love it. These are the best years of my life aren't they? I feel like they are, it makes me want to soak up every single minute of these days.

As I type this, Kate is spinning around in circles ("ballerina-ing") behind me. I just heard a thud and a loud "ouch". No matter how many times you warn them they just have to face plant one time before they stop.

I ordered the fabric for the nursery rocker's slip cover this week. I'm excited, I picked a "basket weave" fabric because I think it will not show spots as much. I'm a little frustrated over the crib bedding. The set I like is way too expensive so I have been planning on buying a couple of pieces and making the rest. However, the fabric that I finally found to match is out of stock...of course.  I have a little "Chick's List" going of fun things I have found lately--I think I'll post on that later tonight.

Three is Good

Little Missy loved all her birthday presents!!

Just Beachy

OK, here is our nursery plan, we're going with a beachy theme without getting too "themey". I'm going to order the material to start on the bedding soon. Let me know what you think! Also, let me know if you see old shovels like these anywhere.
P.S. Click on the photo to see it much bigger.

Two Minutes

I'm about to post our nursery idea but give me just a couple of seconds....I have to hijack the blog to save these pictures to my "inspiration board"--a little sneak peek.

What We Do

I'm ready, I'm ready to start blogging again. We've been busy living, busy living a bit of a stressful, chaotic time. Winter is a little hard on me, I think my parenting skills are most tested then...we're trapped inside and even worse, this year our house was shrinking around us. All my strength is used up keeping those little monkeys occupied. So the incredible shrinking house, the incredible expanding belly (and hips and thighs, sadly), two crazy monkeys, snow days out the wazoo and there just isn't much energy left in me for anything. I could muster up the strength to read other blogs, I had the energy to post a one liner update on Facebook, but actually finding something interesting enough to have a whole blog post was beyond my abilities this winter. But I miss the recording, I miss sitting down and reminding myself of the best part of my job, of the best part of my day and then recording that for those little ladies (and now that mr. man) that makes each of those days the best.

Today was the best, yesterday was good too but today was exceptional. Ironically we woke up to a drop in temperature and snow so we were once again staying inside but it was different somehow. We ran out early this morning on a mission to find Easter shoes. After paying at Target we were walking out the door and I gave our cart to a lady coming in the door. Kendall noticed and said, "That is good sharing Mommy, I can see Jesus in you." I just wanted to pick her up and love on her right there in the middle of the store. Proud doesn't begin to describe how I felt. I wish I could take credit for that but I think she learned it from her teacher. As soon as we came home I sent her teacher a thank-you note, what a blessing for our kids to have teachers like that. The girls just found ways to entertain themselves today, I sat down to do a little Spring Break trip research and they played for the longest time. I fed them lunch and then they just went back to playing. Finally around 2 I pulled them upstairs to watch a movie in my bed (they both have given up naps, much to my dismay) but we didn't watch the whole thing before they found some other way to entertain themselves. They hit their limit at about 6:30 and the crankies came out so we just got ready for bed and now at 7:00 they are fast asleep.

Check out how close our seats were at the circus!

I fear I might have strep throat. I went to bed last night feeling something coming on and woke up with the most awful sore throat you can imagine. Brian had a crazy day at work today so he couldn't come home but I'm hoping to get into our doc during his office hours tomorrow. I don't remember my throat hurting this badly.

I'm also ready to get back to documenting via scrapbooking too, I haven't scrapbooked in months but I plan to start back very soon....just before things get even more hectic with the entrance of #3 right?

Good Bye Two

Good bye two, I will really miss you. I will miss your sweet round cheeks and your sweet round legs. I really hope that three keeps the tiny little hands that find their way to my own cheeks when she kisses me. I hope three keeps those crazy curls and that humongous, easy smile. I hope that two doesn't take the crazy spontaneous dances that are randomly sprinkled through our day or the run and gallop that is the dominate mode of transportation.  I hope that bottom lip sticks around another year or two as well. It makes the whining or crying easier to handle. I'll keep the sweet soft kissable neck, the tiny little kissable feet (even though they get pushed into my face if I sit on the couch), and even though I know it sounds weird I want those sweet soft under arms to stick around too (I love seeing them now that we can wear shorter sleeves). The random outbursts of song should stay, the snuggly wake ups (although maybe three could bring a slightly later wake up time, please), the compassion for others, the independence and the general laid-backness should probably just plan on staying forever. But two, you've been great, I will miss you.

Little Ladies

We have had such nice warm weather the last couple of days, today it was 60! The girls put on their spring dresses and some rain boots and stomped around in the melting snow while Aunt Lorie was here.

The house is really coming together. We are making appointments to have the ceiling fixed, the basement is awesome. We have some office furniture coming for Brian tomorrow once we get it all set up I'll post some pictures!

Life Is Good Today

I'm feeling better the drugs are kicking in, carpet is being installed as I type this and it looks fantastic! The house is clean, Brian comes home tonight, making some homemade chicken stock for a noodle soup dinner and the sun is shinning, life is good today!

And this, this alone makes me so happy. Kendall drew Mickey Mouse, I love that she is thinking of things to draw and just trying it! I'm a proud momma, I think her Easter basket will be filled with a little art kit for her :)

Oh, and this is for my momma. I mentioned that we may go sledding this weekend and she was surprised to hear we still had snow. Oh yeah, just a bit of snow left :)

Update

Bad:
Brian's out of town,
I have a sinus infection
House looks a bit disastrous

Good:
Carpet is getting installed in the basement tomorrow
Went into the doc's office today and have drugs to make me feel better
Lorie and the girls are coming this weekend
We're taking the girls to the circus Sat morning
I treated myself to a little caffeine this morning (to counteract the drowsiness due to infection and poor sleep) and I have a burst of energy now.
I have an hour until I pick up the girls so I'm going to do a little cleaning and then they want to go to the indoor pool today (talk about exhausting--for me not them though).