Hubby Info...

What is his name? Evan
How long did you date? 4 1/2 years
How long have you been married? 7 1/2 years
Who eats more sweets? He does.
Who said I love you first? He did. We were "hanging out (heehee)" in my room listening (haha) to music and I said "oh, I love this song" and he says "i love you".
Who is taller? He is.
Who is a better singer? Umm, I think we're about the same.
Who is smarter? Depends on the subject.
Who does the laundry? Me. All of it.
Who pays the bills? I take care of regular bills and he takes care of his business bills. Which means they are all in a stack on his desk, unopened.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does. We have a Sleep Number bed and our numbers differ greatly so there isn't much snuggling in the middle.
Who mows the lawn? What lawn? It's pretty much dead this summer. He usually does when we have grass worthy of mowing.
Who cooks dinner? Always me. Always. I don't know that he's ever cooked me a meal. *HINT*
Who drives? When it's all of us going somewhere...he does. And I drive from the seat next to him. HA! Our new van (which is STILL CLEAN) has a seatbelt reminder bell that I LOVE because now I don't have to nag.
Who is more stubborn? Me.
Who kissed who first? He kissed me first. He was speedy...first weekend we were together.
Who asked who out? Our letters crossed in the mail...it was a tie.
Who is more sensitive? Me.
Who wears the pants? I think it's a mutual thing.

When Grandma is in Charge....

A Few Favorites...

Needless to say I'm a bit overwhelmed even though my Mom is here doing pretty much everything. Until I have more time to create a whole photo/story thingee, here's a few of my favorite pictures...they should hold ya'll over!

Round cheeks and full lips. He has a few dimples that I hope stick around forever!

Very proud siblings. Nolan is very smitten with him and Avrie is pretty indifferent but proud of him nonetheless.

Awwee.

Nolan meeting Cole for the first time. Avrie had fallen asleep and didn't get to meet him until the next morning. I was glad Nolan got some one-on-one time.

He's Here!!

Cole Isaac

8# 3 oz

20 3/4 inches

8/24 at 10:22 pm

More details later!

Saturday Schmaturday...

37 weeks + 1 day. Ugh. I have been in labor forever. I've diagnosed myself with prodromal labor.
I am exhausted. Miserable. I had an OB check on Thursday and I was almost completely effaced and 3 cm dilated then. Now I feel like I've had two labors worth of contractions and still no baby. His head is so low that I can *too much info alert* feel him only 2 inches up. He's extremely active which makes it super fun as well. We've walked at least 6 miles since last night. I just took the castor oil dive at 6 tonight. It worked with Avrie so we'll see!

Saturday afternoon cardboard box house.

Brother & Sister

Nolan's Sand Machine

Think an engineer lives in that little head?!

A Few Fun Thrift Finds...

This adorable fairy from Morgan Evan Thorne. They retail for $15.00. I paid $2.80. She now lives above Avrie's bed. Room pictures coming soon. Well, soon if baby boy holds off for a while yet. I scored an antique bookcase for her room at a garage sale. We're going to paint it pink this weekend, hopefully.

Brand spankin' new "packback" for Nolan for preschool for $6.95. The tags were still on it.

Still in the shrink wrap. Anyone who has bought Rook cards before knows I got a major steal.

Steal here too. $12.95 retail. As you can see...I paid $2.80.

To make it even better I had a $5 off total purchase coupon. That makes everything even cheaper. Wahoo!

Random Pictures with Random Thoughts

This is how I feel today: on the verge. Avrie was up early throwing a tantrum that has never really ended. Within 10 minutes of being out of bed we had a catastrophe in the kitchen. My favorite paper thin glass tea pot/infuser smashed into a trillion pieces on the floor with Avrie and I in the midst of it. With no shoes on. Yipeee.

What's it called when you're extremely lonely and yet you're surrounded by your kids every single day? Oh yeah, depression. Which I'm in therapy for but am quitting. I didn't want to pay $25/week plus babysitting for a cliche shrink to find out what happened to me as a 2-year-old that has made me what I am today. While I think it's valid, all I wanted was an unbiased ear to listen to me whine and throw in some encouragement every now and then. Evan has come up with the perfect solution for me. I go downtown and find a bum who is willing to listen to me rant and rave for an hour. Free. And satisfying. Ta-da!

36 weeks. Here's to hoping baby is out by 37-38. I recently discovered Leeann Chin's yogurt. This would have easily been a pregnancy craving so I'm very glad that I've only just discovered it. It actually tastes like real frozen yogurt. Yeeumm. I'm starting to stretch...my old stretch marks are stretching a bit more. Maybe I should lay off the frozen dairy.

This is my princess trying to figure out just what a necklace is for! She got a big box of Disney Princess dress-up clothes for her birthday and has been having an absolute blast with them. Princess had her 2-year checkup yesterday. Healthy as can be with these stats: 23% weight, 69% height, 71% head circumference.

Who doesn't play Playdoh half naked in a princess skirt?

Model pose.

What's wrong with this picture? August 13th supper in sweatshirts. They thought they were hilarious. Maybe trying to make a point?? I keep the house at 74 so it's not exactly freezing but my husband sure thinks it is. He climbs into bed shivering. Boo-hoo.

A Few Favorite Party Pics...

The Birthday Girl

Papa helping make giant bubbles.

We look more than ready, right?!

Avrie and Papa Elroy

She thought her cake was the cat's meow!

Wahooo! A Tinkerbell Fairy House!

Awee. A little baby with a pillow and blanket.

Happy Birthday, Avrie!

So grown up.

One year ago.

Two years ago.

Dear Queen Bee,

You are two. And boy do you know it! Your favorite thing to say is "NO, Mommy". Your vocabulary is out of this world. You can talk in full sentences and let us know anything and everything that is on your mind. Your little imagination is just bursting out. Dolls and all things pink are finally catching your attention. I just love watching you discover yourself and the world every single day...you are quite the amazing little thing.

My favorite time of the day is cuddling you before putting you in your bed for the night. You dictate to me which songs to sing. "Avrie's little lamb. Nolan's little lamb. Hole in the sea. Row boat. Rock-a-bye baby. ABC's (which you can sing along with...and don't miss a letter!) Be a candle." At this point I usually say "No more. Time for bed". Then you say "Story of Jesus." How am I supposed to turn you down?

Keeping up with Nolan is #1. You're already riding a big girl bike just like Nolan. Playing copycat is what you do best. You love to snuggle, give kisses, read books, play chase and hide-n-seek with Daddy, eat "bunny crackers, Mommy", play outside, have extended bath time and fight with your brother.

I love you heaps and heaps and want you to slow down and not grow up so fast.

Love,

Mommy

Belly Shots...

Mommy with child, Nolan with melon!

Boy did he think he was hilarious! At least he didn't waddle!

Not much of a report babywise. I saw a doctor that I've never seen before and wasn't too impressed. She didn't check me so I don't know if I'm starting to dilate at all. However, I have dropped 1 1/2 inches so he must have his head somewhat engaged. She offered to write me a prescription for Vicodin but I turned her down after she explained that the baby could be born dependent and go through withdrawal. So I'm sticking to crying and Tylenol.

It's been a long time...

since I've done randoms:

• Evan and I just finished watching The Business of Being Born. I am going to try my darned hardest to have this baby with minimal medical intervention. If you're expecting, watch it. If you're not, watch it so you know exactly what goes on in hospitals in America. It sure isn't a pretty picture.
• Avrie's birthday party is this Saturday. I'm going to attempt to make a kitty cat cake for her tomorrow. Her room is just about done...I'll take some pictures soon.
• She has had diarrhea for a week with no apparent cause other than teeth. She's eating and drinking pretty normally and has no other symptoms other than a cold. It's the second time she's had this weird virus this summer. The upside: she's doing great at pooping on the potty.
• Nolan told me at breakfast yesterday morning "Mommy, I want Daddy to wash my baby brother's head when he comes out of your tummy because I want to kiss his head when he comes out."
• Avrie was up at 4 a.m. one night this week "Mommy, want oatmeal. Oatmeal, Mommy. Oatmeal, MOMMY." Seriously. Daddy put an end to that tantrum for me. I'd already cried myself out of bed twice that night to pee and once to get Avrie a drink of water.
• When you ask how I'm doing and I say "fine" I really mean: "Give me a handful of Vicodin and a venti espresso. ASAP." I'm in severe pain and exhausted.
• I have my 35 week check tomorrow. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my doctor tells me she'll be surprised if I make it much past 36 weeks. If not:
• We got the kids a new pool tonight. A big one with a slide. I'll sit in it and breathe through labor pains while the kids have a blast. For the rest of my pregnancy. I'll hire someone to bring me cool drinks and rub my back.
• To all you doubters: MY VAN IS STILL CLEAN. TWO WEEKS!

Photoshoot---Avrie!

I attempted to get some good shots today for Avrie's 2-year mugshot. They didn't turn out too bad but I think I'll try again. Maybe with a ponytail and a different dress AND a healthy girl. We've all had the summer cold here and she doesn't look quite up to par. Here's a few favorites:

This was my favorite shot by far. I used Picnik to fix it up a bit...that means I used auto-fix and added a border. I'm a little photo-retouching illiterate. I even have Photoshop on my computer and I've never used it. *Gasp*

Peek-a-boo!

I think this is such a pretty one.

"Ticko me 'gain, Mommy."

Ryan's Birthday Party, 8/2

The Birthday Boy! Happy #5, Ryan!

The slip 'n' slide was really for the big boys! The kids had a hard time running fast enough to slide far or fast.

Nolan, Megan, Ryan, Charlie, Ava, Avrie

Amy H. made homemade ice cream.

Yes, off there in the distance...

Way on top of the jumper.

Cooling off.