The BIG reveal

Today was the day.

I honestly didn't need to go to my appt. to know what I am having.

I knew from the start.

I called my sister in-law yesterday and she asked what I thought.

I told her.

And I was DEF. right.

There is no way we are having anything other than a BOY.

Joseph and the kidlets joined me at the appt.

The kids were so good.

As soon as the tech said "It's a boy!"

Abbey screams "No no no it's supposed to be a girl! Her name is Olivia"

She starts crying and my heart was being ripped to shreds.

Ugh. So sad for her.

Joseph calmed her down. And I reminded her that she and Mommy are the princesses of the house.

We wear the fancy dresses, fancy shoes, jewelry and get our nails done.

We wouldn't have to take anyone else with us, just Mom and Abbey.

She loved it.

Now she is excited for our little Joshua and will proudly tell you,

"I'm having a baby brother Joshua Hugh and I don't have to share my princesses with him".

Love that girl.

Baby is healthy and measuring ahead *shocking i know*.

We are happy. We are blessed. We can't wait to meet him.

Fancy Nancy

Last night was Joseph's company Christmas party. So it was a great excuse to put on a "fancy" dress, aka something other than the sweat pants I can be found in most days. We had our fabulous friends feed and put our sweet critters to bed (and they were spoiled out of their minds). It's always so fun to go to these functions and see the people that I hear Joseph mention. It was also very nice to hear all of the wonderful things that people have to say about Joseph and how talented and hardworking he is. We ate fabulous food and chatted it up with friends and as we were ditching the par-tay (I mean I love to dance but seriously dancing while pregnant isn't so fun) we were stopped by the V.P. of the company who praised Joseph for his hard work and dedication. And congratulated him on his major promotion. It was such a nice evening.

Angel

Abbey had her Christmas program at school on Thursday. She was so cute. She smiled and smiled. She waved at Jack and I. Jack was heartbroken because he just wanted to go and stand with her and sing. They both love to sing and it's so funny to hear. Abbey's class were the angels so they all wore little gold headbands. After about 15mins of wearing it Abigail decided she didn't need to wear it anymore. So she takes hers off and so does everyone else. It was hilarious.
I love my pretty angel girl.

Our Christmas tree

Before Joseph left we bought our Christmas tree. Every tree that was over 12ft tall Abbey claimed as ours. We had to explain to her that even though we have vaulted ceilings we couldn't have a 12ft tree in our house. So she settled for this one. I love our tree. From the time I was born and every Christmas since my Mom has given me an ornament. I love it. I can remember receiving so many of them in Christmas' past. I now carry on the same tradition for both Jack and Abbey. I love it. So now our halls have been decked and we have moved on to the baking and eating portion of the season. Oh joy!

Merry Christmas to me

Once upon a time a long time ago, my dear sweet mother in-law bought each of her daughters a Kitchen-Aide (I know she is awesome). Back in those days Joseph and I were living it up as newlyweds. I didn't cook because it was cheaper for us to eat off the dollar menu or order Chinese food and I had no time or counter space in our over-priced 1 bedroom cardboard box, I mean condo. So I took the Kitchen-Aide back. Soon we found out we were pregnant with Abbey, so I decided to spend that money on her furniture. A much better decision in my head. So fast forward a few years to 2007. I finally decide that I need a stand mixer. I decided on the Kitchen-Aide Professional 500 even though I secretly wanted a Bosch but I couldn't stomach spending that much on a mixer. I hate buying expensive things (except for clothes). I would rather buy a cheap version of an item and keep buying it when it brakes. Dumb I know. Fortunately I married a man who would NEVER do that. He will only buy top of the line electronics and kitchen gadgets. So we purchase the Kitchen-Aide and I immediately have buyers remorse. I cancel the order. After seeing Aunt Connie and her amazing Bosch, I wanted the Bosch. So another year goes by. My handheld mixer is dying because I have used and abused it. I panic. I call my Erika. Erika has a Bosch. I say "Erika tell me you love your Bosch and that I shouldn't buy the Kitchen-Aide". She laughs and says "I love my Bosch and you can borrow mine for the whole month of December. I won't need it." And that was all I needed to hear. With a deep breath I sat in front of my computer and found the best deal I could on the Bosch. I have been anticipating it's arrival for days. And yesterday was the day. And I was not disappointed, even Joseph was amazed when he saw the size of it. I am in love and am very grateful that I now have an excellent mixer AND and a new wheat grinder courtesy of my mother in-law.

So Merry Christmas to me.

Countdown to Christmas

What do you do to countdown to Christmas?

Our traditions are simple but we try and make them fun.

We buy each kid an Advent Calendar (think cheap .97cent chocolate wax filled) and they open the door before bedtime.

We also try and do a simple and fun activity every night.

Here is this years schedule.

What do you do to celebrate the countdown?

1. go christmas tree shopping

2. write letters to Santa

2. watch how the grinch stole christmas

3. read Little Critters Christmas book

4. make gingerbread men decorations

5. watch Rudolph

6. watch Shrek the Halls

7. read: the tale of the three trees

8. make hot chocolate floats

9. watch: the nightmare before christmas

10. finally decorate the tree when Daddy gets home from his trip

11. have a picnic dinner by the christmas tree

12. Christmas Party

13. Dad's work Christmas party sans critters

14. Temple lights

15. gingerbread house

16. watch: White Christmas

17. make home-made bread for hot chocolate & toast

18. ugly sweater party

19. have breakfast for dinner

20. have a fondue/ candy cane dipping party

21. read: why christmas trees aren't perfect

22. drive around to see the neighborhood christmas lights.

23. watch: Elf

24. sing christmas songs, tell the story of the true meaning of Christmas, & read the christmas story

Change

That's some kind of joke right?

I try not to get all political here on this wondrous blog o' mine, politics doesn't bring out the best in me.

So after campaigning for months about this GREAT change our President-elect is going to bring, I'm sitting here laughing.

How on earth is this man going to bring on such a great "change" when his cabinet is full of Washington insiders?

People who have been in the business for years.

Yea, bring on the "change". *insert eye roll*

Go ahead..

and laugh.

I did.

Things of noteworthiness, it's prob. not a word but whatev.

1. Jack's, Lloyd from dumb and dumber hair cut. you do not for any reason EVER part a little boys hair. He had his hair cut 10mins before this pic. It is much cuter when I spike it.

2. Abigail's outfit. If you know me then you know I don't let my kids pick out their own clothes if we are leaving the house. Well when Mom is getting ready and is too busy this is what you get.

3. Jack is totally not having the Santa pic. He is sassy. He would smile for me but not for "Santa's helper".

Man I love my kids.

Be kind...

vaccinate your kids against the rotavirus.

As mothers and fathers we have the ultimate decision when it comes to health care and vaccinating our children against certain debilitating diseases.

I will spare you the gory details but I have seen all too well, over the past week, what the lovely rotavirus can do to your lovely healthy children.

I was always the Mom who cried as her kids were stuck in the legs when receiving vaccines at such a young age, no more. I remember my pediatrician telling me "it might hurt you now to see them cry but it will hurt you worse if you ever see what some of these diseases could do to them". Man was he right.

Jack started this whole thing off. And then myself and Joseph and Abigail all fell ill. And Abigail has it worse than anyone. It took my friend Morna to remind me that the rotavirus vacc. was pulled for reformulation while Abbey was a baby and was released again just as Jack was born (it's the oral one, just so you know).

Well it's obvious who has been vaccinated and who has not. Jack rebounded in 2 days and puked only twice. And Abbey is on day 5 (we can't count the vomiting incidents) and well things sometimes look better and sometimes they don't. It's sad to watch my usually overactive, extremely healthy, 3 yr old sit on the couch all day, ask for a nap at 12:30, tell me she can't walk, etc.

So all in all I don't care if you vaccinate your kids, heck we vaccinate on a delayed schedule. That's your families prerogative. But take it from me you don't want to see this stuff in action.

And please for the love, whoever gave this crap to my kid, please teach your kids to wash their hands.

Mental Garbage

Did I mention that Joseph and I went to Cirque du Soleil 2 weeks ago? Well we did. We had amazing seats, 3rd row. The show was amazing. We put our kids to bed at 6:15 and left for the evening. 6:15pm(??) you say. Oh heck yes. My children are champion sleepers. Anyway the show was Kooza and it was fab. It had some clowns that were a little scary, I'm not a huge fan of clowns. Well I'm actually not a fan at all.

the only photo taken b/c we didn't want to be arrested. courtesy of my blackberry

Christmas has begun at our house. We are watching lots of Christmas movies and listening to Christmas music. I love it. We took the kids shopping on Saturday, mostly because I wanted to hit up the Nordies Fall sale. We got the kiddos some new sneakers. Did I mention that Abbey wears a size 11 shoe? yea what the hey?!! While at the mall we rode Santa's train and went on the carousel. Fab time had by all.

I am now 16weeks pg and I feel great. I had an appt. today and no weight gain. HOORAY for me. And the Dr. has decided that she will most likely induce me early due to the largeness of my babies. BEST NEWS EVER!

I was watching some show on Bravo. Probably Top Chef or Project Runway reruns and I saw a commercial for "The Belly Bandit". It's essentially a girdle that you wear everyday for 40days after you deliver your baby. So I'm talking to my friend Linda, who is Chinese, and she is all "yeah Chinese women always do this after they have a baby". And I was all "well if I can look like you I will wear it for 80 days". I always buy myself a pair of new jeans in my normal size for when I have the baby to give myself the extra push I need. Somehow I managed to get into my jeans the last go round. Amelia is my witness. So I'm going to buy myself an overpriced girdle and an overpriced pair of jeans. I'll let you know how that goes come May.

Thanksgiving is next week. I'm so excited. We are hosting again this year. I love to eat, so this *might* be my very favorite holiday.

My Christmas cards have been in my house for 2 weeks. I will not get behind this year.

And with that I'm going to bed. I've got a busy day of playing with the train table and story time at Barnes and Noble.

A little secret

I *heart* bread. a lot. like a lot, a lot. I love nothing more than to make a huge batch of Aunt C-Dogg's Chicken and Wild Rice soup and then put the soup in a bread bowl. Heavenly on a cold fall/winter day. This is my favorite recipe for bread bowls, it's easy, seriously. Bake 'em and you can thank me later. And if anyone can give me Aunt C-Dogg's White Chicken Chili recipe I will love you forever.

Bread Bowls

From Taste of Home

INGREDIENTS
2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 cup warm milk
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons salt
6 cups all-purpose flour
Cornmeal

DIRECTIONS
In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.

Add the milk, shortening, sugar, eggs, salt and 2 cups flour.

Beat until smooth.

Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.

Place in a greased bowl (meaning buttered, yummy) , turning once to grease top.

Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down.

Turn onto a lightly floured surface.

Divide into eight pieces; shape each into a ball.

Grease two baking sheets and sprinkle with cornmeal.

Place four balls 3 in. apart on each prepared pan.

Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

My notes: you can cut a whole in the top and remove inside bread and place bowl back in oven for 5-7 mins to "firm" up the inside of the bowl so the inside doesn't get too soggy. Or you can eat it soggy. I like that too.

Love it.

this pretty much sums up my feelings on our President-Elect.

Dear Cancer...

I HATE you.

You disgust me.

A 3yr old, really?

I don't understand cancer at all, but a 3yr old?

Instead of Ben wearing some terrible LightningMcQueen costume-

he gets to be sedated and strapped to a table.

Instead of devouring pounds of candy-

he gets to have total brain radiation.

I have seen enough cancer in my lifetime (ask me about it sometime)

but this makes me physically ill.

You freakin' jerk.

I hate you.

(you can follow Ben here http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/towne)

My friend Carin (his Mom) is an incredible writer.

Did you know that we as a nation spend 95,000$ per patient on pediatric AIDS, a preventable disease? And a measley 20,000$ per patient on pediatric cancer.

Yeah sickening.

A lil trunk or treat for ya

Health Nut

So I have this friend Chris. She is a bit of a crunchy, hippie, treehugger but I love her. A.LOT. I should tell you that I am none of the above. Chris and I often talk about baking, cooking, raising kids, travelling. But we don't talk about shopping (she wears Dansko's, go ahead google it) or makeup (she never wears any) or hair (she has super long beautiful hippie hair) or anything girly for that matter. Anywho back to the point of this post. Her kids Jack and Kate have never had a hotdog. NEVER. Not one. ever. And when she eats a hotdog, it's a real hotdog like from the butcher in the casing. And I was all "uh what the heck do your kids eat?" and she was all "ummm homemade stuff". So I began to berate her with questions such as "how on earth do you have time to make 'homemade stuff' in the middle of the day?, do you spend all of your money shopping at Whole Paycheck?, are you a freak?", etc. You get the idea. And she shares her innermost thoughts about food, kids, eating habits, etc. with me. And now I will share them with you. But I assure you it's no revolutionary concept.

She told me that growing up her Mother always had fresh and healthy snacks on hand, they always had natural peanut butter, ate whole grain, fresh veggies and fruit and they had dinner together as a family every. single. night. and her kids eat what she is eating; she doesn't run a restaurant. She hates preservatives, additives, food dyes, unnatural sugars, high fructose corn syrup, nitrates, red meat, etc. We talked about how much money she spent on groceries a week/month. And it wasn't much more than I was already spending (roughly 100$). So I thought well I can handle this.

So without saying anything to her I applied most of her advice and restrictions on my own family. I am proud to say that we are now a whole wheat, all natural snack, all natural syrup, fruit leather instead of fruit snack, organic fruit and veggie and MILK eating family. My kids no longer get their own meals. They eat what Joseph and I are eating or they get nothing. I allow them to choose if they want sauce on their pasta (whole wheat pasta I might add) and things of the sort but I no longer make nuggets instead of feeding them the enchiladas that we are eating. It has been nice to eat healthier and feel better about the things that I am choosing to feed my family. So we are one step closer to being treehuggers. Just don't tell Joseph.

Trilogy

Here i am in all my 12 week glory

On May 7th, our trilogy will be complete. We will be welcoming baby numero 3. I am now 12 weeks. YAY! Thankfully I do not get sick so I have felt pretty normal other than being exhasuted. I would like a girl, so would Abigail. I think every girl should have a sister. I don't think boys need brothers, that's what they have Dads for. My brother never had a brother and they don't come any tougher or manlier. I never had a sister and I've always felt like I was missing something. Luckily I married into a family with lots of sisters. They are now the ones I call when I need something, want to cry, want to share my happiness and joy. Sisters are a blessing. Joseph wants a puppy but I think he secretly wants a girl. I found Abbey's 1st Easter dress the other night and Joseph said "Man I loved when Abbey wore that little dress", to me that means he needs another Daddy's girl.

Goals for this pregnancy:

1. DO NOT, i repeat, DO NOT gain 48lbs. again.

2. Do not have a 10lb. baby. After an 8+lber and then a 9lber, that might not be so easy.

3. Sleep train starting at 8weeks. Yeah I'm going all out this time.

And pray for us. #3 might put us over the edge.

3 day weekend!

Joseph took off last Friday, which is a 1st because he never takes time off. And actually because he works so much he didn't even use any time off. Go figure. So I scheduled Abbey's 1st dentist visit for that morning. I was a little nervous but as usual she climbed right up in the chair, opened her mouth and followed all the directions given to her by the Dr. She rocked it. I'm glad that she is self confident and adapts well to new situations. She was given the all clear, no cavities! (And for those of you wondering I was told that the gaps in her teeth are perfect, they are supposed to be like that to make room for her permanent teeth. Another positive!)
We arrived home and quickly scooped up Dad and Jack. We headed out to the Pumpkin Patch! The weather was perfect, maybe a little on the warm side. We rode a hayride which drove through the pond!!, went down crazy slides, ate kettle corn, drank cider, petted cows and watched them be milked by the farmers. It was so fun. We were all sufficiently worn out after.

Jack after his turn on the rope swing

What cha lookin' at?

Friday evening I went out with a friend to our favorite consignment sale. I'm always amazed at the stuff I find there. *i cannot stand childrens clothing with characters on it. I do not buy my kids anything, with the exception of pajamas, that has a character on it. I loved shopping at consignment sales with my friend Angela because she feels the same way. I would always find the most hideous piece of clothing laden with TweetyBird, Dora, Winnie the Pooh etc. and tell her I found the perfect shirt or whathaveyou for one of her little girls. She would almost die when I would show it to her. I miss her. And if you dress your kid(s) in clothes with characters that's cool with me, I just can't handle it on my kids. I know I'm a terrible Mom.*
So I bought Abbey a princess 2 wheeler and Jack lots of Thomas trains. score.
Saturday morning we give Abbey her new bike. She goes outside in her jammies shoves her helmet on her head and promptly takes off. WHAT??!!!! No help, no nothing. *sigh* She really is growing up. We go out for bagels and head to the City of Fairfax Fall Festival. It was awesome. The kids rode rides, slides, climbed in fire trucks, ate icecream, hotdogs, fries (which is so NOT a part of our new healthy eating plan, I'll tell you about that in a different post). We came home and all took a nap. Awesome.
Yes that is my 20month old riding a ride all by himself .

Angry fireman.

Look at Jack's face, love it.

So the moral of the story is don't ever let my kids tell you we don't do anything fun.

Yeah we're famous...

wait for it, wait for it, wait for it....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1GRQGc5GQ0

These should make you laugh

At the ripe age of 19 and 20. Why didn't someone tell me to get out of the tanning booth?
I love this picture because somehow I am the tallest. Clearly in real life I am not.
Please note our fab attire!
Please note my necklace. Uhhhh didn't I have any friends to tell me to take that off?
See if you can find the family rebel.
Clearly we didn't like Brianne enough to bring her along. But we'll bring Spencer and Doug.
At 19 in NYC! Look at the sideburns, love them. I hope they make a comeback.
We are a bunch of clowns.

I found these on our old computer. I'm so glad I did. Today was a rough day so seeing all these fun pics made me laugh and smile.

I love family.

Disney on Ice!

This past Saturday (after Joseph returned from his business trip) we took the kids to Disney on Ice. The kids were so excited. I'll admit I was excited too. It featured Cars, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King and Fairies. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald were the hosts. It was so cute and it was great entertainment. Before the performance you could go into the Princess Alley and see all the Princess dresses. So fun. We ate lots of trash food at 10:30am. Cottoncandy, pizza, popcorn, etc. The kids were in heaven.

Mothers

This photo has NOTHING to do with this post. I just think my kids are really cute.

I had been pondering Motherhood and what it means to "be a mother". I came across the article on one of my favorite blogs. This article is by Patricia Holland Oct, 1987, Ensign.

"....Yet it seemed to me that the young mothers had easily as many concerns. They described to me the struggles of trying to raise children in an increasingly difficult world, of never having enough time or means or freedom to feel like a person of value because they were always stretched to the ragged edge of survival. And there were so few tangible evidences that what they were doing was really going to be successful. There was no one to give them a raise in pay; and beyond their husbands (who may or may not remember to do it), no one to compliment them on a job well done. And they were always tired! The one thing I remember so vividly with these young mothers was that they were always so tired.If I were Satan and wanted to destroy a society, I think I would stage a full-blown blitz on women. I would keep them so distraught and distracted that they would never find the calming strength and serenity for which their sex has always been known.I believe we can find our steady footing and stilling of the soul by turning away from physical preoccupations, superwoman accomplishments, and endless popularity contests, and returning instead to the wholeness of our soul, that unity in our very being that balances the demanding and inevitable diversity of life.I have only three children and have wept that I could not have more. And I know that some of you without any have wept, too. And sometimes too many have simply been angry over the very subject itself. For the sake of our eternal motherhood, I plead that this not be so. Some women give birth and raise children but never “mother” them. Others, whom I love with all my heart, “mother” all their lives but have never given birth. And all of us are Eve’s daughters, whether we are married or single, maternal or barren. We are created in the image of the Gods to become gods and goddesses. And we can provide something of that divine pattern, that maternal prototype, for each other and for those who come after us. Whatever our circumstance, we can reach out, touch, hold, lift, and nurture—but we cannot do it in isolation. We need a community of sisters stilling the soul and binding the wounds of fragmentation.

These words are so profound to me. Just the swift kick I need to keep pushing along. All of our circumstances are so different but we are all so much the same. We are children of God and we are in this together.

School days

Well here we all are on the 1st day of school. Abbey LOVES going to school. And Mom LOVES that she goes to school. Her little mind is so ready to learn and she loves to make new friends. I often feel like her being at home with me is impairing her ability to learn. It's not like I can teach her much when her brother is pushing chairs all over the kitchen, trying to get into cabinets, knocking over trashcans, pulling all the shoes out of the coat closet, etc. And I love having the time to be alone with Jack. So Abbey loves school, she begs to go everyday. Next year I think I'll sign her up for 5 day. kidding, well maybe not.

I am...

I am: a fun Mom.
I think: taking time for yourself is mucho importante.
I know: that 3yr olds are crazy.
I want: a new mattress.
I have: a happy family.
I dislike: mayo. Dis-gust.
I miss: sleeping in.
I fear: not being able to see my children grow up.
I feel: tired. I go to bed wayyy to late.
I hear: Project Runway.
I smell: laundry soap. story of my life.
I crave: alone time.
I cry: when I have to speak in public. I have MASSIVE anxiety issues when speaking in public.
I usually: nap when my kids nap. It's my 2nd favorite time of day.
I search: the internet for everything
I wonder: how Abbey acts at school.
I regret: lots of things but I hope I've learned from my mistakes.
I love: Joseph. He makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. And he makes me laugh.
I care: about politics.
I always: eat too much.
I worry: about everything.
I am not: quiet. ever. I even talk in my sleep.
I believe: that I deserve a raise. ;)
I sing: all the time. Abbey thinks it's really funny.
I don't always: put the laundry away.
I argue: till I win.
I write: everything down.
I win: when I go bowling. It really makes Joseph mad.
I lose: my mind b/c I've got kids.
I wish: Joseph didn't have to work.
I listen: to my kids giggle. It makes me so happy.
I can usually be found: baking or cooking or eating or talking or shopping.
I am scared: of my children dying.
I forget: nothing. That's why I'm known as "The Rolodex".

what are you?!

Desires

The leaves are starting to change here and on occassion (well not for the last day or 2) you can feel the crisp air rolling in. I'm so excited to start shopping for fall and winter.

Current loves:

LOVE ballet flats

LOVE patent leather and heels.

My current bag obsession. I will only be waving at this bag though. 400$ for a bag is ridic. (especially since I cart around diapers, sippys and wipes all day)

William Rast jeans. I have always been a 7 for all mankind, Hudson, Citizen, TR kinda gal. But my most recent love is William Rast. His jeans have a wonderful (and perfect) amount of stretch to them. The washes are perfect and the denim is soft. I don't wear anything but flare jeans (which means I usually have heels on) and his jeans are all FLARE! well except for the skinny jeans and lets be honest NO ONE should wear skinny jeans.

This look is perfection. I love the cardigan and the strands of necklaces.
LOVE it.

So tell me what are your current faves?