Top Ten Reasons We're Having Another Baby:
10. Maternity clothes are stretchy and comfortable, and I wanted to be able to wear them again.
9. Jakki and her hubby had a third baby in February, and we hate competition.
8. I don't have enough messes to clean up after other people.
7. We wanted to see if the Chinese Gender Chart was correct.
6. DWH likes it when I'm moody and b****y.
5. We hate sleeping more than two hours at a stretch.
4. I'm convinced Baby D has a secret wish to be that weird {middle} kid.
3. We have one who looks like DWH and one who looks like me, so we wanted to see who a third one would look like.
2. I needed another shot at having a redhead. Fingers crossed! (I'm only half kidding about this one.)
And the number one reason we decided to have another baby:
1. It was the only way to convince DWH to get rid of the Explorer and buy me that sexy new minivan of my dreams.
July 8, 2013
July 1, 2013
Mark Your Calendars
Doesn't it drive you nuts when you're really into a series of books and you finish one, only to be left hanging for dear life on that cliff for a year or two, waiting for the next one to be released?
It happened to me with nearly all the Harry Potter books. I read the first three within a few days and then had to wait patiently to watch Cedric Diggory die in Goblet of Fire.
I read Divergent and Insurgent back-to-back, and now I have to wait until October for the last book in the series to make it into my eager hands.
So, without further ado, we are excited to announce that your wait is over. The third and final volume in the BabyHead trilogy will be released in mid-January!
We have had one doctor appointment thus far, and everything looks great. BabyHead #3 has a strong heartbeat (160 bpm), was wriggling around, and doing his/her job of making me tired and queasy. Oh, and moody. Let's not forget moody. I'm sure DWH won't be forgetting that one.
We have told the other kids, and Sweet Pea is fine with it, as long as it's a girl. She wants to name her "Pacey." Go ahead. Sing some Paula Cole. You know you want to. ("I don't wanna wait/For our liiiiives to be overrrrr...")
So, if I refer to #3 as Pacey from here on out, you'll know why.
We asked her if she would like to have another little brother. She said, "No. I want to keep the one I have." I think we'll let her keep him, too. They'd both be heartbroken if they were ever separated.
Speaking of Baby D, whose name I suppose we'd better update, he's oblivious. He probably will be until January. That's ok. The longer I get to snuggle him and rock him at bedtime, the better.
Of course, I'll be posting updates and pictures as Pacey gets bigger - and I get bigger.
Thanks for sharing our excitement with us! Only 9 weeks until we find out if Sweet Pea and Baby D will have a baby brother or a baby sister. We can't wait until January!
"Children are a heritage from the Lord..." Psalm 127:3
It happened to me with nearly all the Harry Potter books. I read the first three within a few days and then had to wait patiently to watch Cedric Diggory die in Goblet of Fire.
I read Divergent and Insurgent back-to-back, and now I have to wait until October for the last book in the series to make it into my eager hands.
So, without further ado, we are excited to announce that your wait is over. The third and final volume in the BabyHead trilogy will be released in mid-January!
We have had one doctor appointment thus far, and everything looks great. BabyHead #3 has a strong heartbeat (160 bpm), was wriggling around, and doing his/her job of making me tired and queasy. Oh, and moody. Let's not forget moody. I'm sure DWH won't be forgetting that one.
We have told the other kids, and Sweet Pea is fine with it, as long as it's a girl. She wants to name her "Pacey." Go ahead. Sing some Paula Cole. You know you want to. ("I don't wanna wait/For our liiiiives to be overrrrr...")
So, if I refer to #3 as Pacey from here on out, you'll know why.
We asked her if she would like to have another little brother. She said, "No. I want to keep the one I have." I think we'll let her keep him, too. They'd both be heartbroken if they were ever separated.
Speaking of Baby D, whose name I suppose we'd better update, he's oblivious. He probably will be until January. That's ok. The longer I get to snuggle him and rock him at bedtime, the better.
Of course, I'll be posting updates and pictures as Pacey gets bigger - and I get bigger.
Thanks for sharing our excitement with us! Only 9 weeks until we find out if Sweet Pea and Baby D will have a baby brother or a baby sister. We can't wait until January!
"Children are a heritage from the Lord..." Psalm 127:3
June 23, 2013
Pancakes, Ballet, and Doughnuts
Have I told you that Sweet Pea is fascinated with all things ballet? She loves to dance, in general, but ballet is her favorite.
She hasn't started taking ballet, yet. That will come in the fall when school starts back. But any picture of a ballerina or ballet slippers, the sound of classical music, or the sight of a tutu all set her little heart a-flutter.
We've asked her if she wants to play soccer, do gymnastics, or participate in any of the other extra-curricular programs her fabulous preschool offers. The answer is always, "No. I just want to do ballet."
So, when Dan learned that a local private school was performing a ballet based on C.S. Lewis's, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, of course I had to take her. Friday night was a girls' night out for Sweet Pea and me, starting with a delicious dinner at the fine dining establishment of Sweet Pea's choosing - IHOP. After that, we were ballet bound!
As you can probably imagine, she was in love from the moment the lights went down. She was mesmerized. At one point, when the scene was changing, I asked her what she thought might happen next.
She looked at me sternly and replied, "I don't know, but I think we need to be quiet."
If you know Sweet Pea well, you know that she must have really wanted to pay attention if she suggested being QUIET.
It was all I could do to contain my absolutely delighted laughter while I watched her try to imitate every graceful movement she saw, while sitting primly in her seat. I can't wait to watch her blossom into a ballerina in the coming years.
The performers, comprised of middle- and high school students from the school's dance program, did a fantastic job. I enjoyed the show as much as Sweet Pea did!
The rest of our weekend had little to do with the arts, unless you count the art of making doughnuts. Oh, and it is an art. I am going to make a statement that has, for some reason, been debated.
(OK, we didn't make the doughnuts, but we sure enjoyed eating them this morning after the early worship service!)
Krispy Kreme makes the best doughnut in the entire world and Dunkin Doughnuts cannot possibly begin to compare.
There. I said it.
I recently read, on Facebook, of course, someone's erroneous comment that Krispy Kreme doughnuts taste just like any other doughnut.
Um, I beg your pardon?
How can you compare the dry, crumbly, cakey confection produced by Dunkin Doughnuts, to the ooey, gooey, so-soft-they-don't-even-leave-crumbs-on-your-napkin goodness that is Krispy Kreme??
Who's with me??
Dunkin Doughnuts does have better coffee, though. I will allow them that.
Have a great week, everyone!
She hasn't started taking ballet, yet. That will come in the fall when school starts back. But any picture of a ballerina or ballet slippers, the sound of classical music, or the sight of a tutu all set her little heart a-flutter.
We've asked her if she wants to play soccer, do gymnastics, or participate in any of the other extra-curricular programs her fabulous preschool offers. The answer is always, "No. I just want to do ballet."
So, when Dan learned that a local private school was performing a ballet based on C.S. Lewis's, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, of course I had to take her. Friday night was a girls' night out for Sweet Pea and me, starting with a delicious dinner at the fine dining establishment of Sweet Pea's choosing - IHOP. After that, we were ballet bound!
As you can probably imagine, she was in love from the moment the lights went down. She was mesmerized. At one point, when the scene was changing, I asked her what she thought might happen next.
She looked at me sternly and replied, "I don't know, but I think we need to be quiet."
If you know Sweet Pea well, you know that she must have really wanted to pay attention if she suggested being QUIET.
It was all I could do to contain my absolutely delighted laughter while I watched her try to imitate every graceful movement she saw, while sitting primly in her seat. I can't wait to watch her blossom into a ballerina in the coming years.
The performers, comprised of middle- and high school students from the school's dance program, did a fantastic job. I enjoyed the show as much as Sweet Pea did!
The rest of our weekend had little to do with the arts, unless you count the art of making doughnuts. Oh, and it is an art. I am going to make a statement that has, for some reason, been debated.
(OK, we didn't make the doughnuts, but we sure enjoyed eating them this morning after the early worship service!)
Krispy Kreme makes the best doughnut in the entire world and Dunkin Doughnuts cannot possibly begin to compare.
There. I said it.
I recently read, on Facebook, of course, someone's erroneous comment that Krispy Kreme doughnuts taste just like any other doughnut.
Um, I beg your pardon?
How can you compare the dry, crumbly, cakey confection produced by Dunkin Doughnuts, to the ooey, gooey, so-soft-they-don't-even-leave-crumbs-on-your-napkin goodness that is Krispy Kreme??
Who's with me??
Dunkin Doughnuts does have better coffee, though. I will allow them that.
Have a great week, everyone!
June 15, 2013
Wishing Away These Stinking Dog Days
Here we are in mid-June, and I have only posted once this month. I apologize. It's just that, well, it's summer.
Technically, it's not even summer until next week, but it's still hotter than the eighth level of Dante's Inferno and it's no secret that this is NOT my favorite time of year.
For one thing, everything here in Birmingham that relates to small children, completely shuts down or goes on hiatus during the summer, so we're bored out of our minds. I mean, what do you do with a preschooler and a toddler if a) there's no preschool or MMO, b) there's no story time at the library, c) you have one kid who is terrified of the water and another who can't swim by herself, d) taking them outside will cause them to burst into flames, and e) you don't want to spend your entire life savings just to keep them occupied?
Whine, whine. Moms have done this since the beginning of time, right? I never said I wasn't spoiled.
For another thing, the heat and humidity make me...oh, what's the right word? Angry? Bitter? Grouchy? Crabby? Miserable? Yes, I think that just about covers it.
And, don't get me started on the wasps, bees, yellowjackets, ants, and gnats. It's like a Biblical pestilence every time I open the door.
That said, I apologize for not posting much this time of year. It's just a little cranky around here.
On a brighter note, we now have fewer than 100 days until autumn begins! (See countdown on the right.)
Oh, my sweet autumn, with your colorful leaves, breezy, balmy weather, apple-cinnamon scented everything, visits to the pumpkin patch, hot chocolate with marshmallows, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and comfy boots. I miss you. I will even endure football season just to have you in my presence again.
Please come back to me.
I'll be waiting.
Technically, it's not even summer until next week, but it's still hotter than the eighth level of Dante's Inferno and it's no secret that this is NOT my favorite time of year.
For one thing, everything here in Birmingham that relates to small children, completely shuts down or goes on hiatus during the summer, so we're bored out of our minds. I mean, what do you do with a preschooler and a toddler if a) there's no preschool or MMO, b) there's no story time at the library, c) you have one kid who is terrified of the water and another who can't swim by herself, d) taking them outside will cause them to burst into flames, and e) you don't want to spend your entire life savings just to keep them occupied?
Whine, whine. Moms have done this since the beginning of time, right? I never said I wasn't spoiled.
For another thing, the heat and humidity make me...oh, what's the right word? Angry? Bitter? Grouchy? Crabby? Miserable? Yes, I think that just about covers it.
And, don't get me started on the wasps, bees, yellowjackets, ants, and gnats. It's like a Biblical pestilence every time I open the door.
That said, I apologize for not posting much this time of year. It's just a little cranky around here.
On a brighter note, we now have fewer than 100 days until autumn begins! (See countdown on the right.)
Oh, my sweet autumn, with your colorful leaves, breezy, balmy weather, apple-cinnamon scented everything, visits to the pumpkin patch, hot chocolate with marshmallows, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and comfy boots. I miss you. I will even endure football season just to have you in my presence again.
Please come back to me.
I'll be waiting.
June 5, 2013
Follow Up on BabyLit
So, we made our weekly trek to the library today and guess what Baby D found lurking on the shelves?
The BabyLit versions of A Christmas Carol and Romeo and Juliet!
Woohoo!
Naturally, we brought them home and went to readin'.
Pride and Prejudice is still my favorite, but A Christmas Carol is a nice one, as well. It is not a counting primer, as the P&P and R&J books, but a look at colors through the eyes of Ebenezer Scrooge. There's a green wreath, Fezziwig's blue coat, and a red scarf for Tiny Tim, just to name a few.
While I still find the R&J counting primer to be an awesome addition to any kid's library, my English teacher brain and natural dark side want to change a few things. For instance, if I had written this one, there would be one bottle of poison, two feuding families, three murders, five dead teenagers, etc.
What? You weren't thinking the same thing?
Have I mentioned that I love these books?
The BabyLit versions of A Christmas Carol and Romeo and Juliet!
Woohoo!
Naturally, we brought them home and went to readin'.
Pride and Prejudice is still my favorite, but A Christmas Carol is a nice one, as well. It is not a counting primer, as the P&P and R&J books, but a look at colors through the eyes of Ebenezer Scrooge. There's a green wreath, Fezziwig's blue coat, and a red scarf for Tiny Tim, just to name a few.
While I still find the R&J counting primer to be an awesome addition to any kid's library, my English teacher brain and natural dark side want to change a few things. For instance, if I had written this one, there would be one bottle of poison, two feuding families, three murders, five dead teenagers, etc.
What? You weren't thinking the same thing?
Have I mentioned that I love these books?
 |
| Our library has this fabulous play area where the kids can do fun stuff between choosing books. At least, until it gets to be unbearably hot outside. |
May 31, 2013
Counting With Mr. Darcy
Have you seen these?
If your kids already know how to count, you might not have.
Sweet Pea already knew how to count by the time I discovered them, and our library only has the Pride and Prejudice one, but I still LOVE them.
They're called BabyLit, and they're counting primers that expose children to classic literature by counting objects that are essential to the plot and/or theme of the original work. For instance, in this adorable Pride and Prejudice volume, there are two eligible gentlemen, three manor houses, five sisters, and seven others that have escaped my memory.
In addition to Pride and Prejudice, my favorite, the series includes Romeo and Juliet, Jane Eyre, Alice in Wonderland, Wuthering Heights, Moby Dick, Dracula, A Christmas Carol, and Sense and Sensibility.
I have read some reviews on Amazon, et al, in which parents have complained that they were disappointed that the books deviate so far from the plot of the classic books after which they are patterned.
Uh, they're counting books. For toddlers. They are picture books. You know, for babies. How much of the intricacies of class divisions among the aristocracy of 19th century England, do you expect your two-year-old to understand?
The illustrations are fabulous and the concept is great.
It's too bad I don't have any baby showers to attend any time soon. Do I? Anyone? This would be an awesome gift!
If your kids already know how to count, you might not have.
Sweet Pea already knew how to count by the time I discovered them, and our library only has the Pride and Prejudice one, but I still LOVE them.
They're called BabyLit, and they're counting primers that expose children to classic literature by counting objects that are essential to the plot and/or theme of the original work. For instance, in this adorable Pride and Prejudice volume, there are two eligible gentlemen, three manor houses, five sisters, and seven others that have escaped my memory.
In addition to Pride and Prejudice, my favorite, the series includes Romeo and Juliet, Jane Eyre, Alice in Wonderland, Wuthering Heights, Moby Dick, Dracula, A Christmas Carol, and Sense and Sensibility.
I have read some reviews on Amazon, et al, in which parents have complained that they were disappointed that the books deviate so far from the plot of the classic books after which they are patterned.
Uh, they're counting books. For toddlers. They are picture books. You know, for babies. How much of the intricacies of class divisions among the aristocracy of 19th century England, do you expect your two-year-old to understand?
The illustrations are fabulous and the concept is great.
It's too bad I don't have any baby showers to attend any time soon. Do I? Anyone? This would be an awesome gift!
May 19, 2013
Bananarama
I usually don't talk about recipes on the blog, but I wanted to share this one because a) it's incredibly easy, and b) I was stunned at how much my kids loved it.
I won't share all my weird food issues with you, because frankly, I don't have the time and you probably don't have the attention span. However, I will say that I am really into the natural foods thing.
God gave us the foods we're supposed to be eating, and they weren't created in a lab. I don't care how much thinner I can be from eating "I-Can't-Believe-It's-Not-Food," I just don't think it's a great idea to feed my family "food" that is petroleum-based or contains the same ingredients as my shampoo and hand lotion.
I believe God knew what he was doing when creating healthy things for us to eat and when giving us the brain power to figure out how to make our own food (turning milk into cheese, for example). Have you even noticed that the "food" we humans create out of chemicals to make us healthier or to make us skinny, usually has long-term terrible effects on our bodies?
I won't lie to you and tell you that my family never, ever eats anything that is processed or contains artificial ingredients. We do. It happens. But, when I make meals and snacks for my family in my home, I prefer to keep it as natural as possible. This is why you won't be able to sweeten the coffee I make for you with anything that comes out of a pastel-colored packet. Sorry.
For that reason, I was pleasantly surprised to see an easy snack recipe show up on Disney Jr. as we watched Sophia the First the other night. It was so simple that I wondered if my kids would actually eat it.
1. Slice up a couple of bananas.
2. Put the slices in a freezer bag.
3. Stick them in the freezer for a couple of hours.
4. Use the food processor or hand mixer to blend until they're the consistency of frozen yogurt.
5. Tell your kids it's ice cream.
That's it!
Sweet Pea ate two bowls and Baby D licked his bowl clean.
A sweet, yummy, frozen treat that's nothing but good ol' bananas.
So, does anyone have any natural snack recipes that your kids just love, that you would like to share?
I won't share all my weird food issues with you, because frankly, I don't have the time and you probably don't have the attention span. However, I will say that I am really into the natural foods thing.
God gave us the foods we're supposed to be eating, and they weren't created in a lab. I don't care how much thinner I can be from eating "I-Can't-Believe-It's-Not-Food," I just don't think it's a great idea to feed my family "food" that is petroleum-based or contains the same ingredients as my shampoo and hand lotion.
I believe God knew what he was doing when creating healthy things for us to eat and when giving us the brain power to figure out how to make our own food (turning milk into cheese, for example). Have you even noticed that the "food" we humans create out of chemicals to make us healthier or to make us skinny, usually has long-term terrible effects on our bodies?
I won't lie to you and tell you that my family never, ever eats anything that is processed or contains artificial ingredients. We do. It happens. But, when I make meals and snacks for my family in my home, I prefer to keep it as natural as possible. This is why you won't be able to sweeten the coffee I make for you with anything that comes out of a pastel-colored packet. Sorry.
For that reason, I was pleasantly surprised to see an easy snack recipe show up on Disney Jr. as we watched Sophia the First the other night. It was so simple that I wondered if my kids would actually eat it.
1. Slice up a couple of bananas.
2. Put the slices in a freezer bag.
3. Stick them in the freezer for a couple of hours.
4. Use the food processor or hand mixer to blend until they're the consistency of frozen yogurt.
5. Tell your kids it's ice cream.
That's it!
Sweet Pea ate two bowls and Baby D licked his bowl clean.
A sweet, yummy, frozen treat that's nothing but good ol' bananas.
So, does anyone have any natural snack recipes that your kids just love, that you would like to share?
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