Songs In My Head

Mr. Charles can get stuck in my head anytime. 

I Wasn't Entirely Truthful

You see, I mentioned that we had our 20 week ultrasound, and that we were having a healthy baby.

And we are.

But we also found out that we are having a healthy baby

BOY!

Can you believe it?  We were in total shock.  I know it should have occurred to us we could have a boy but we were both convinced we were having a girl.  We are very excited and the girls are thrilled.

Even the sports equipment we own is pink so we have a lot to prepare for.

September will be here before I know it!

More later,
Lori

Lori Crabbypants

I have been quite on the blog, but life has been anything but quite. 

The past month has been very busy and full of lots of ups and downs.  Truthfully, it has been mostly downs. 

We have been sick.  Still.  Again.  The flu (AGAIN), strep throat...this winter has not been fun.  I am SO OVER my family being sick.  Seriously.  If I could beat up being sick I would.  I MEAN IT!!!

Trav's grandpa passed away.  (It was his time but still very sad.)  Grandpa Howard was a great person and we all loved him a lot!  We already miss him but are comforted to think he is in heaven, reunited with his son (Trav's dad) Tom, and baby Ross, (Trav's brother).

Travis found out he is losing his hearing.  (Which he told me I could share but I don't really feel like talking about it, okay?)

I feel like Debbie Downer, which is why I haven't been blogging.  I dislike being negative.  I like to see the glass as half full.

But the down moments were reality this past month.  And we must take the bad with the good, right?

With that being said, I feel like we are on an upswing.  Some WONDERFUL things happened! 

Miss Madeline turned six. SIX!!!!  What a joy to celebrate her birthday with her and get to experience her excitement.  I will share photos soon!

And we had our ultrasound and found out we are having a healthy baby.  Such a blessing and relief!

So....Lori crabbypants has left the building. 

I got to go to my bible study group this morning for the first time in three weeks.  All seems right with the world again. :)

I hope you have had a great month!

More later,
Lori

Songs In My Head

This is Violet's very favorite song to dance to.  I tried to record a video of her dancing to it but she would stop dancing, shake her hand at me and yell, "NO PICTURES MAMA!"

So you are stuck with this video.  Warning:  it is a really dumb video.  Like, really dumb.  But the song?  Vi's fav.

Guess What I've Been Doing? Part 2

I have barely posted this month.  Since my last post we had another round of illness but are FINALLY feeling healthy. 

Unfortunately my computer has been on the fritz but I seem to have used my limited knowledge luck to have fixed it.

Hopefully.

I am trying to get back into the swing of things after being in sickville for so many weeks.  I have a BIG to-do list before the baby arrives in early September.

Does that sound crazy?  To already have a to-do list?

Maybe.

BUT.

Listen, people.  It is not going to be pretty around here in August.  I am going to be hugely pregnant. 

Huge. 

Did you know my last baby weighed over 9 pounds?  I looked/felt like I was carrying a 15 pound baby.

Have I ever mentioned that I am generally crabby in August?  Sad, but true.  I do not handle heat/humidity well.  (And that is when I am not preggo.)

So.  The point of this long ramble is that my morning sickness has finally cut down to about half of my day instead of the whole day.  I really need to get some things done now because I can't count on hard-core nesting in August.  I plan on spending August in a swimming pool/sitting in front of a fan in my air-conditioned house.

Before the "great" illness marathon this month I decluttered my entire kitchen.  I only have the rest of my house to go.

I made of goal of being done by Easter (except for the unfinished basement) and I hope I can make it.

The hardest part of decluttering for me is going through toys.  The girls have SO MANY toys.  And they play with them on a very regular basis.  But it just seems like too much.  Do they really need 40 Barbies?  (That is kind of embarrassing to admit.  And that is AFTER I donated some Barbies they don't play with as often. Madeline and Zella each got like 7 or 8 Barbies last Christmas from various family members.)

So I ask you, how many are too many?  How do you declutter your kids' toys?  What are your limits?

I really want to get this under control before baby #4 arrives and my house is inundated with a baby swing, bouncy seat, play mat, and infant toys.

Any suggestions?

(End of rant/ramble)

Guess What I've Been Doing?

Going crazy, that's what.

The girls have been sick sick sick for two weeks.

Straight.

(Well, except for last Friday.  They all felt ok that day.  Otherwise?  SICK.)

We're talking throwing up every 20 minutes for 12 hours (Zella), temps of 105/tonsillitis/ear infection/influenza A (Violet), RSV for Madeline etc. etc. etc.

All while I hurt my back and could barely move.  My wonderful husband saved the day by taking two days off work to help.  He was Mr. Mom and didn't complain once.  Really. 

Am I lucky or what?

We are finally on the mend.  Only Zella is still sick (influenza A last week, RSV this week).  She is starting to feel better though so the end may be in sight.

I have been crabby cranky impatiently waiting for my 24/7 morning sickness to lessen.

So to wrap up, we are all crabby and hope to be healthy one day.

All kidding aside, I still have a lot to be thankful for.  I get to have another baby, we have great health insurance, and Trav's job is flexible enough to allow him to help out when needed.

There are always blessings if you look for them.

I just had to look a little harder the last two weeks.  :)

Overheard at Our House

On my birthday Zella and Madeline were helping me make a cake.  I decided to use a bundt pan so it would look pretty.  Zella looked at Madeline and said, "Why are we using a BUTT PANT to make mama's cake??? That sounds gross!"

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Violet was coloring with markers with Travis.  She kept holding up markers and trying to name their color.  She picked up the brown marker and said, "POOP" instead of brown.  I have never laughed so hard in my life.

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Zella really misses my Grandpa Lester who passed away.  Every night she prays for Grandpa "LesTURD" in heaven.

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Violet adores kittens.  We were at Petco looking at cats and she kept yelling Titty! Titty! at the top of her lungs.  We got a few strange looks.  She also says "toot" instead of cute.

FAQ About Having Another Baby

So.  We have been sharing our good news that we are adding to our family.  We have received a lot of congratulations, and also a lot of questions/comments.

I thought I'd clear a few things up.

Wow!   Don't you know how that (i.e. getting pregnant) happens?
Um, yes.  If you don't, go ask your mother.  I don't want to have to explain it to you!

You must be trying for that boy!
Sorry to disappoint, but no.  We just wanted to add to our family.  I think Travis and I both assume it is another girl, so if we have a boy we will be SHOCKED.  Seriously.  I would probably faint.  (I am very dramatic!)

Good for you.  You are a lot braver than I am.
This actually means they think we are crazy for having four children.  And it is a little crazy so I take no offense.

How are you ever going to leave the house with all these kids by yourself?
Honestly?  I'm not sure.  I will just do it.  The three we have are only getting older and more independent so that will help. 

Good think you bought the mommy mini-van!
EXACTLY.  I know you are probably being sarcastic, but I am NOT.  Whoever makes fun of mini-vans obviously does not have young kids close in age.  The van doors OPEN THEMSELVES.  I have remote start and a DVD player.  I don't care who makes fun of what I drive, I love my van!!!!!

You are going to have to move to a bigger house!
Listen, people.  Travis We are not finished remodeling this house in the first place.  Trav just finished his studio a couple months ago and we are not leaving this house yet.  Yes, I know we only have a half-story upstairs.  Yes, I am aware our bedrooms are small.  I shared a room until I was 16 and I don't think it's a big deal the girls share a room.  Violet and the baby will each have their own room.  We will survive.

You don't waste any time, do you.
This comment alludes to how close in age our children are.  Madeline and Zella are 19 months apart, Zella and Violet and 26 months apart, and Violet and the baby will be 2 1/2 years apart.  So you see, this is the furthest we've ever spaced it.  All I can say is, that is what happens when you wait 6 years into your marriage to have kids and you are 35.  (And you want to have a big family.)

You are going to have your hands full!
Why yes I am.  In a good way.  I love being a mom and feel very lucky we get to add to our family.

So now you know. 

Thanks for all the well wishes.  We are excited to meet our little one in September!