Christm...I mean, Kwanzaa???

Today my kids made my heart smile (as they often do). I was in the bedroom listening to them as they played nicely together (without arguing...which very rarely happens) so needless to say, I was enjoying what I heard. They were playing "church". Caleb was Pastor J, and Amelia was herself. Caleb says "Ok, kids, come on up, it's time for the children's message." Amelia sits down in front of him and Caleb says " Ok...are you all excited for Christm....wait, I mean,  are you all excited for Kwanzaa?" At this point, I was hysterically laughing while trying to listen to where he was going with his children's message. He continues in saying "yes it is Kwanzaa, and when you go downstairs you will learn more...let us pray. Dear Jesus, Thank you for the day, thank you for the food, and thank you for church today. It's Chrismas and Kwanzaa.  Amen." We, obviously, celebrate Christ's birthday in our house, but somewhere along the way, he has picked up celebrating Kwanzaa. So to all of you, we wish you a Merry CHRISTmas, and a Happy Kwanzaa!

Annabella 6 months

Annabella is 6 months old now. My time flies. At her 6 month appointment she weighed 17 lbs. 5 oz. and is 28 inches long. She has already started eating baby food, and fruit puffs, drinking from a cup, waving, saying da-da, ma-ma, ba-ba, la-la, and is rolling all over the place. She is also trying to sit up, but if she gets distracted she topples over like a broken Weeble. She has such an easy going personality and loves to smile, laugh, and squeal. I must say, she is a super easy baby...so far! She is my sweet little Annie Boo Boo.

She is such a big girl now!

From the mind of a four year old.

Today, while watching the cartoon "Dora Saves Christmas", Amelia realized that Santa has a naughty and nice list.  We have never really gone over this concept with the kids because we want their main focus to be on the fact that it is Jesus' birthday, and not on Santa bringing gifts. YES, we do the Santa thing, but our main emphasis is on Jesus. Anyway, she started asking questions about Santa's naughty list and how he knows who's naughty and nice.  I explained the concept and wanted to throw in that Jesus sees the things we do as well, and he is more important because he died for our sins. After explaining this to her, she then told me that the people who killed Jesus should be on Santa's naughty list because they were mean and shouldn't have killed him. WOW! To have the mind of a four year old. I mean, what does one say after that? 

A song about Thanksgiving 2010 (sung to the tune of "Twelve Days of Christmas.")

For our Thanksgiving vacation, my family gave to me.... 12 pounds of turkey...
11 hours of Satellite radio
10 pottybreaks
9 plus hours of driving
8 furry bison
7 stops at Braum's
6 cheeseballs in Holdenville


5 German Chocolate Milkshaaaaakes!!!


4 nights at Nanny's
3 ball games
2 arguing siblings
AND A child throwing up in the car.....

Chunky Monkey

Annabella update: 4 months old, weighing in at 15lbs 15oz. 26in. long. She is a super eater (wonder where she gets that from?) She has recently started rice cereal, and bananas, and is finally sleeping through the night (WOO HOO!!!) She is my perfect little chunky monkey.

Canvas of Many colors.

WOW!!! Has it really been 2 months since my last post? I have to stay on this before months turn into years. Well, Fall is officially here and it is my most favorite time of year. I used to be a spring person, but not anymore. As I get older, I am liking fall so much more. I love the crisp air, the beautiful color changes, and all the holidays. I love everything about fall. Bon Fires, Thanksgiving, Trick or Treating, pumpkin patches, crinkling leaves, apple cider, S'Mores...I could go on and on.. Makes me smile just thinking about it. It is so refreshing to drive and look at all the trees changing into a beautiful array of oranges, reds, yellows, and browns. Fall is what I like to call "God's work of Art." His "canvas of many colors." Yes, God has many works of art, but Fall is one of his best. It is so refreshing!

Annabella 10 weeks

Well, it's official...I have a thumb sucker. Although this habit is a hard one to break, I can't help but think how cute it is to see her sucking her thumb at this age.

To Wake or Not To Wake...that is the question.

Last night I had one of those moments that all mothers of new borns have. You know...the one where you wake up scared out of your mind because you haven't heard the baby stir in several hours. Yes that one. Last night, I fed Annabella at 9pm and laid her down. She fell right to sleep (which is very nice, by the way). I went to bed at 10:30 and was awakened by my "baby feeders" going "hey, we need to be emptied." I then rolled over to see that it was 3:45am. I jumped out of bed in a panic to see if she was still breathing, and there she slept, ever so peacefully with thumb in mouth...whew! After going back to bed, I then found myself going "do I wake her?"..."I'm in pain here, please wake up."..."No let her sleep, she finally starting to sleep longer than 3 hr stretches." After about 10 mins. of going back and forth, I finally decide to gently get her out of her pack n play and feed her. She didn't even wake, and ate nicely...Ahhhh relief. Don't get me wrong, I am happy she is starting to sleep longer periods, but she needs to "wean" me off so I don't panic and or explode. Ahhh those wonderful mommy moments. Wouldn't trade 'em for anything.

The birdies are leaving the nest.

Today was the first day of first grade for Caleb. It was much harder on me than on him, in fact, he was so excited he forgot to tell me bye :(  Today was also the first day of pre-k for Amelia. My babies are growing too fast. She goes to PM pre-k and was up at 7am with her backpack on ready to go.  She hasn't taken it off since. I am a little sad, but that's OK because I enjoy watching them on their new journeys.

BABY UPDATE: Annabella went for her 2 month check-up today and she is weighing in at 13lbs.7oz. and is 24 3/4 inches long. She is measuring "off the charts". Poor thing had to get 5 vaccines today, so needless to say, she is sleeping ALOT! Poor girl. I always want to cry when they get shots.

The loves of my life.

Caleb 6yrs., Amelia 4yrs., Annabella 6wks. 

Baby Sneeze!

Who'd a thunk it?

Ok...so in my mind Crayola brand art supplies are all washable.  WRONG!!!  Being one of the first times I have had to buy school supplies, I have recently discovered that Crayola makes both washable and non-washable markers.  I had no idea.  What's the deal?  Oh and the worst thing about this "conspiracy" is that they charge twice as much for the washable ones. UGH!  That is just plain wrong, but what can you do? Caleb's school supplies specifies "washable" markers.  Guess I'll be making a return trip to WalMart. Maybe I'll buy Rose Art just for spite.

Heavenly brownie points...a teachable moment!

Well, the other day I was given the opportunity to teach my kids a lesson.  I decided to venture out with the three kiddos and take them to Wal-Mart.  Afterward, while loading the kids into the backseat of my Kia sportage, I noticed there was an item wedged under Annabella's carseat.  I had realized that this item had not been paid for.  The item was a $3.00 item and the thought entered my mind "Wal-Mart is a big coorporation, and they will never miss $3.00."  (You know you have all had those thoughts from time-to-time.) It is the bad little devil sitting on your left shoulder whispering in your ear "they'll never miss it...it isn't worth getting all three kids back out....just go home, your icecream is melting."  BUT as tempting as it was, I thought "my children are here, I need to do the right thing." and "What would Jesus do?"  Well, I knew what Jesus would do because on the right shoulder there was this good angel whispering in my ear "Do the right thing...teach the kids the right thing."  So it was settled...we ALL went back inside and paid for the item.  The look on the lady's face at the door was priceless when I explained to her what I was doing.  I knew I had earned more "heavenly brownie points" when that evening Amelia explained to M what had happened saying "we did the right thing...we should never leave the store without paying." And to top it all off...my icecream didn't melt afterall.  It is the little things that matter.

Check out the head of hair on this child...no wonder I had so much heartburn!

UPDATE...

Well as you can tell, it has been a while since my last post.  Our new little one finally arrived June 11, 2010.  We are pleased to welcome Annabella Elizabeth to our family.  She weighed 8 lbs 9 oz. and was 21 inches long. She is such a joy.  She fits in nicely and can hold her own when it comes to being heard. Caleb and Amelia are adjusting to her nicely.  Amelia loves to "help" even when she doesn't need to.  Annabella gets lots of kisses from her big sister, and Caleb has been known to alert me when she needs something.  In my opinion, she is beautiful just like the other two.

Eviction delayed...ugh!

I must vent...due to a scheduling conflict between my OB office and labor and delivery floor, the eviction notice for baby girl has been pushed back until Friday.  Only a day, but a day is forever when you are miserable.  I am not very pleased about this news, but what can I do?  I knew something was fishy when I kept getting conflicting dates.  Apparently I listened to the wrong side because I was supposed to be induced today instead of tomorrow.  SERIOUSLY!!! Get on the same page people!!!  I could have been holding my baby girl today. 

Kids say the darndest things...

Today while looking at our wedding pictures, Caleb looks at the picture of our mothers lighting the candles and says "What are they doing?"  M replies, "They are lighting the candles."  Caleb says "for Kwanza?"  This cracked me up.  Where do kids come up with these things?

Eviction date approaching.

UGH!!!  It has been a long 9 months, but well worth it.  Thursday June 10 is officially eviction day for this little bundle of joy.  She may decide to make an appearance earlier, but at this point, I'm doubting it.  She is used to 4 star accommodations, and seems to be comfy in her little home.  My body isn't too comfy right now, but at least I see the light at the end of the tunnel.


It is always interesting to see how many people tell you how miserable you look at the end of a pregnancy.  I have decided to put that on the list of things NOT to say to a pregnant person.  It doesn't bother me too much when people say this to me (especially because they are my good friends) because it is the truth, but I probably won't be saying it to anyone.

Parenthood

Well, this is my first blog, and I am not sure how long my blogging experience will last, but I'll give it a try.  The only thing I have to talk about at the moment is my role as Mother.  I have 2 wonderful kids and one on the way.  In fact, she should be arriving anytime.  I am almost 38 weeks pregnant, and needless to say miserable.  I have enjoyed all of my pregnancies, but enjoy it the most when it is over.  I have had a fairly uneventful pregnancy.  Nothing major I can complain about.  I have been very fortunate to be blessed with "child bearing" qualities.  I have also been blessed with the two most wonderful gifts in the world.  My son, Caleb who is now six, and my daughter, Amelia who is 4 going on 16.  I love every minute of being a mother (even those when I feel like pulling my hair out).  My kids are my life, and I thank God for giving me the opportunity to parent.  Now I am patiently awaiting the arrival of my new little girl.