By Small and Simple Things...

I hear these words a lot, " I just CANT DO IT!" Whether it's me frazzled at children or weeding, or my kids in frustration about something, they come to mind easily sometimes. Now, those words aren't really allowed in this house as it should more appropriately be stated, " I just WONT DO IT!"

As I was watering the plants the other day, cleaning the floors and doing the dishes, I was thinking how powerful water is as a substance. It does so much for us. It is nutritious and relaxing to listen to, and yet the constant flow of water on a substance wears it right away. Hot, cold- it is a life sustaining necessity. But, it's just a little water here and there really. I've had those sticky spots on pans and silverware that seem to take a lot of water and scrubbing to get it off, but it does come off. If I didn't have that water, some of this dishes I have would surely get tossed given the patience I have for things like dishes.

I thought about this power of water, of the Hoover Dam and the power that the water brings to the area and how it changed this areas economy and industry out in the west. That's amazing to me. But what's even more amazing? The Grand Canyon. I'm sure when it started waaaay up on the top, no one would have ever imagined the power it would have on 'just a little dirt'. Yet the water has gradually worn down all these layers of stone and rock. The deposits are being moved and relocated into another location downstream somewhere. This stream has meant several things to several people in the last several several centuries. Yet it is only one river.

Never underestimate the power of one person... and never say "I CAN'T DO THIS!" We limit ourselves too much! The song comes to mind, "Put your shoulder to the wheel, and push along." We don't know how many people are touched by us, weeds will always need pulling, and the kids will always need tending. A mother's influence is unfathomable. Just like water against the Grand Canyon walls. At least for me...

Thinking Day

Chloe had a little presentation for us to watch Saturday. She is in the local Girl Scout troop and has had a blast! It's been great to watch her get out of her little reclusive shell she'd been in and get to do things she wouldn't have the chance to do normally. In the earlier spring she was able to go see Disney on Ice and roller skate. We joined the troop for the roller skating and she had a rollin-good time. Eva can't wait to be a Girl Scout and they let her participate whenever it is OK.
Chloe was a Fairy who painted Tulips for a lady (a folk tale). She got to read an important fact about England and hers was about the first public zoo.
We had so much fun with this outfit and then she was able to get an 'old' outfit (But seriously I remember my friend wearing this to her Girl Scouts meetings... so it's not THAT old... right? ) It was too cute. We couldn't sport the beenie that it came with due to the bun in the hair for the skit.
She did a great job. She also brought a potato and it's seeds and the girls formed the number 100 while they sang the Girl Scout Song... it was actually a little touching. So sad that it was a family function and only 1/20 of the girls' parents were there. Eva got dressed up to have fun that day too- Great lookin- Daughter's of God. I stuck some flowers in her hair so she looked fairy-ish and springy. She was a great sport and posed like ... a model or something when I took this picture.
Gabriel was a pretty good sport about not wrecking all the displays and screaming his head off all the time. He did sweep the floor for the Girls Scouts, try all the food as well in the cultural food section... many he did not like and the faces he made were humorous! Look at all those teeth! He's currently teething on his bottom i-teeth. He sticks his tongue over the spot and constantly looks like he has something in his mouth. He's getting better at listening to me as I allow him more independence a little here and little there. I love the Girl Scouts for my family!

Easter Saturday

Because of the hype of "The Bunny" we decided to leave Sunday sacred and do the fun wild on Saturday. We dyed eggs the night before and after Gabe spilled pink dye all over the table (and after Brian pulled it out of the wood using our miracle liquid gold cleaner) we had dinosaur eggs, monkey eggs and Tinkerbell eggs in a variety of colors.


The Easter Bunny got the girls some fun things which they discovered at 515am and I just so happened to get only about 4 hours of broken sleep that night. Complete cooincidence, I know. I don't know how I missed that silly Easter Bunny. Chloe wrote the Easter Bunny letters and offered her dress up bunny ears, a card from all her siblings and then asked a question. I've taken a pic of the letter and hopefully it will post well.
On Sunday our Easter ham turned out scrumptious (Thanks Safeway) as well as our cheesy potatoes a-la Nana. It was an extra fun thing to make bunny shaped biscuits with the girls. Totally cute and fun!
We watched our church's broadcasts of General Conference on Saturday and Sunday as the kids actually did settle down and listen - especially with the packets I printed out (Thanks, Sugardoodle.com) Chloe's favorite thing was learning to be modest and not show off our bodies. That means no tank tops, shorts above the knees or belly revealing clothing. I know that she'll be protected by her angels as she follows the councils of the Prophet in all she does, and it's nice that we both agree on modesty. We'll see if we can keep that up for those nice 'agreeable' teenage years! Eva 'wrote' some words she heard them say several times and was also really good at keeping the noise level down during the talks. We could all feel the Spirit in our home for sure. I really liked just letting Gabe play happily while I was uplifted and not having to worry about him getting into another Sister's purse, or screaming etc. Ah- but we are back to church today and he's doing a little better every week - I think. And here they are together - and mostly looking at the camera.

Chloe is 6!

Chloe turned 6 and I'm so happy! She is such a help to our family,and sense of general calm in moments of frustration. I can tell she has confidence and courage now - a big difference from just a year ago. She never would go up front for singing - very shy around everyone but immediate family. Now she lets her vibrant personality shine all the time - no matter where. She is riding a 3 wheel bike - with only one training wheel on as a compromise between no training wheels and two. She has a huge heart and compassion that just seems to be the perfect thing when someone gets hurt or is sad. She's a great example for the other kids to follow and I'm grateful for that.
She had a Secret Garden party where she could invite 6 kids and they did some party games, had cake and ice cream and then decorated and planted their Snapdragon pots. Chloe picked those out for her birthday plant. We'll see how well they do. The pots looked great!
B and I got her a camera this year, trying to support her interest in taking pictures. She's coming into her own world of artsy and english hobbies (hooray for me!)She's a great reader, too and I think she takes after my mom there. She does voices, and pauses for all the breaks just like someone was talking. She loves Junie B Jones and has just gotten the loose tooth edition. She has two loose teeth up top and two loose on bottom.
Well, here are some of the pictures from her day.

A NewYear - What a few months

I know that I haven't been very up to par with this blog -as the decor dated it around Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Christmas went well - B's mom came out and we were able to do lots of things with her. My favorite thing was visiting Oatman. Eva walked right into a burro's big barrel chest head on - and looked up at its head about 6 in. about hers. She didn't scream, cry or move really. Then there was the waiter who was licking his hands - and wearing skulls and roses on his shirt. Then there was a magnet that read "It's so hot in Oatman even my ass is sweating- (the reference to the animal prevalent there.)" We had brought a 5lb bag of carrots with us and man - it's truly the catnip of those burros. We had to duck behind store doors and wait for some of them to go find someone else to harass. One burro snatched the bag right out of Nana's hands and you know - she turned around and grabbed that sucker back. It was just hilarious the things that were happening. We even stayed for the gun fight. It was pretty neat but one of the actors had just had hip surgery so we watched him die s.l.o.w.l.y. And one of the shots actually hurt the other guy although they are just blanks - it was not supposed to be pointed right at the other person. So - we made all sorts of memories there.


In February our ward boundaries were redrawn and I was released as RS Counselor. Now I am the Activity Days Leader. I am really excited about all the fun things we can do. The girls are too cute too - and before they get too cool for fun things. Ages 8-11. I'm jazzed, needless to say.

Brian is the ward assistant clerk mainly responsible for membership records. He graduated with his Master's Degree in December, and we celebrated by going to OH for a few days and doing 'the walk' down in Columbus with several other students.

Our visit to OH brought the realization again that AZ is really where I feel at home now - although there's so many great and wonderful people in OH. The sky was gray... the snow was gray.. Gray. Yep. And it was cold. And snowy. I mad a topsy turvy cake for Brian's graduation.



SO in the realization that we felt at home here in AZ - we started looking for a home. We've looked and looked and looked, but in the end it still comes down to savings. Debt to income ratio - yada yada. We don't want to be here forever, but a few more years will not hurt us for sure. Renting was the outcome out of all this hectic chaos for all those who know me. Thia family rearranged practically the entire house this weekend to refresh our flow and view on the house.

Eva had her 4th Birthday ala Tinkerbell and I made a nice cake for her that looked like a pro. I was pleased. She got everything she wanted plus some and she had a blast at her party when we danced Irish jigs and made fairy crowns with pipe cleaners, beads and ribbon. Then they decorated their own fairy wings. It was cool.

B had a birthday and turned 27 - and he's still so handsome. Eva decided for him that he would have a Spiderman birthday and so he did. I think his best gift was the 42" joint grad / birthday gift that we got that outsourced my favorite Entertainment Center. How much do those go for in garage sales, anyways? So we have the 'clearest' TV ever - per Chloe. He's still going for a second Master's in Information Systems Management. The girls did their cards all by themselves and they were so proud - I loved it. They got to pick out who gave dad what. Gabe just isn't too into the production yet - but he liked the recordable card. So much that he's torn it apart to see where the sound was coming from and well - ya.

Life in the Homeschool Lane...

We've taken pictures of life during school hours here and also Gabe's recent rash of getting in to EVERYTHING!! Everywhere he is, chaos and mess reign. Slimy globbered toys, food, and who knows what leave his 'tracks'. Welcome to toddlerhood, baby boy!

Happy Halloween!

This Year we had Cleopatra, a lion, and a Tinkerbell. They all loved their costumes. Mostly- Gabe was a little upset, but he was grateful when the cold night descended. Ya, ya, I know - cold was like 60 something. But dang man- it's cold out here when that temp hits and there's no sun.
The kids went up and down the neighborhood street, and then were begging to come home. We've still got about half the candy. Who could ever eat that much anyways???
The girls were bold enough this year to go up on their own, regardless of the spooks along the sidewalk, or scary sounds. I loved it. Their independence is refreshing in moments like this. Brian and I were vampire/vampiress.

(and yes- I've seen New Moon, read the books and am totally geeked about the whole series.)

Rock on!

These are my 'boys' for an afternoon of Guitar Hero. Okay - just a song or two, but that's enough for me! I can't stand the thing! But at least a few people in my family appreciate the purchase. Gabe couldn't get enough of it. Hilarious! Brian played for him, but he thought he was playing, just like he 'drives' with Mari Cart and other things. Cute, too!

Applesauce...Apples

*Like this, right mom!? I can tell they've learned something from me in the process of canning applesauce up the wazoo!

A Walking Advertisment

Hey mom! You know what I want? I want these things you can stick on your teeth and then walk around all day and not have to brush. They're like little stickers!! And then you can walk around and say (*smile*) and everyone will say, "Wow- what nice teeth ya have!" And they're like little stickers! That's what I want.

Hmm. Any idea of what she's talking about? She seems sold on their idea, doesn't she? What other things has she seen and just believed because it was 'on tv'? Crazy. She should've gotten paid for what she was trying to sell.

Oh- and as I'm writing this we have natural gas people fixing an apparently leaky pipe outside my house. Thanks for those tender mercies there! I had absolutely no idea because we've been across the house and in a closed room most of the morning. Crazy. Things to be thankful for, for sure!

Ah - things have been busy here. I organized a food drive for Thanksgiving for local members and we fed 4 large families and 3 single/couples. We're on our way towards having a successful nativity play in the beginning of the month as well. And we're doing a food drive/toy and book drive for kids during the month of December. I'm excited to see what gets donated and how the sisters react. It's been hard for a lot of people this year, and I think it's great our sisters are willing to share the little they might have to better someone else that's in harder times. I think it's coming down to that as a society. People bearing one another's burden's, yada yada. oo- and I've also started to organize a craft day for our RS sisters a ''last moment'' kind of thing right before Christmas, but we've had some awesome ideas presented, so I'm totally jazzed!

Here's some pics of my new haircut - totally Kate and 8 style. I love her hair all the time and I've felt gorgeous with this new 'do' . I've even started wearing makeup for everyday again... Brian likes it. Even better!

Brian's been called to be the membership clerk of the ward. I knew it was a clerk position *gut-wise* but had no idea there existed a clerk-assisant position. Who knew!? My intuition strikes again!

I've gotten almost over the loss - almost, but feelings come and go quickly now - like a tsunami. I'm ok one moment and then a look, or something prompts a teary-eyed me. We'll figure it out. Eventually.

I'm hoping to be somewhere else by the time the next school year starts, and the next few months will tell me where.... *crossing my fingers* maybe closer to nuclear family. Homeschooling is going Ok, but it's not my absolute forte. I'd much rather sing abc's hundreds of times than try to explain how a shape is not a form, but every form has it's shape. Seriously! And then there's dealing with the tantrums the rest of the kids have while I'm trying to be patient with the oldest. That's just the youngest toddler most times, and he only screams because he wants the computer and the keyboard, and sharp pencils in his mouth as he stands on a chair. Ya. Most is my parental guilt for not spending equal time with everyone, but Eva could care less about school sometimes, and Gabe is only 1.

Snip, Snip!

Today I actually took some scissors to my sons almost mullet. I was trying to push it off, but when the food starts a-stickin' my scissors needed to get a-clippin'! Several screams later and after 15 chocolate chips were eaten-or rather inhaled without much success, I just started grabbing and snipping the best I could. I don't think he'll ever sit still again - but he's just the cutest little squirmy worm! Now hair no longer curls at the nape of his neck.. so he grows up just a little more every day. The girls thought it was really fun to try and distract him, feeding him treats and trying to get him to look the other way. It was a good time for all - except Gabriel, most likely. He's up to a full cup of life cereal in the morning with a sippy cup for breakfast- a full sandwich and some applesauce and then another sippy for lunch- dinner is a guess if he'll eat or not. Seriously, where does it all go?!

Updates

So, we're updating the last few weeks. Sickness. The swine flu, more like - and everyone BUT Gabriel managed to catch it. The pharmacy budget I set is completely blown out of the water, and I'm not excited for the 5 Urgent Care bills and 2 sick visits to the kids pediatrician. It would have been nice if I went to the Urgent Care first - they tested everyone for flu once one case was confirmed in the family.

Gabriel's Birthday. That I'll make a fresh post about. But he was sick all weekend before, and right up to his birthday. Luckily on his birthday, on his anti-histamine his polka dots from the roseola virus disappeared and he was at least a little manageable. Chloe was recouping from a 102 fever the evening before so it was a slow and low key day.

Fall time - my favorite season...and the events of the month have taken our 'splurge' income straight to the 'sick' expenses and then some. Leaves around here are changing if you look carefully, but they'll blow away and you don't see them on the ground long enough to jump in them. Only the weeds and tumbleweed stick around the yard - and shoot, we could jump in those all year long if they were actually pleasant.

IRS - Apparently our CFA out here did not include the income I had from OH in 2007, when I had even given him the information for it. So we got a letter in the mail yesterday demanding the hefty sum be paid asap, of course. I think I'll use a new CFA this year. Frustrating.

Work stuff- Brian was given some huge responsibilities at work that are causing him heartburn at every hour of the day. It was kind of like, "We failed at this last time and we had a whole team. You do it yourself in half the time, okay?" I've been watching a little girl here and there but it's been crazy with sickness here and there. She's a doll though, and I miss her playing with my girls every week. I am toying again with the idea of becoming licensed nationally... seems like a good thing to do to be prepared in times of need. Just a hard expense upfront for a 'stay at home mom'.

Temple visits- actually made it and had an absolutely wonderful spiritual experience! Hadn't been to the temple in almost a year and a half but my goal is to be going monthly now. We'll see!

Gabe's Post

He deserves his own post as he's learned to do so many things this last week. He's stacking, attacking, building and breaking.... Climbing, singing, rolling around - so much!! I survived four days without Brian last week - whew! But I felt he missed just so much so I took all these pictures as Gabe was doing things. He sits on his little doggie chair now, rides instead of pushes his popper around, and from what I can tell he prefers order and cleanliness (fixing all things out of place lately). And I finally got a picture that shows his two bottom teeth. Now to get some pics of the top four that are coming in all once. Poor little man. He likes to wear headbands, purses and pushes strollers around with the girls all day too. I am slowly building a boy toy collection, and dinosaurs are our newest addition. Things are great with Gabe!! I love him so much and appreciate the sweet spirit he brings into our home.

What's Up- Side Down?

I have no idea what kind of lizard this is, but his visits have become frequent- ever since our neighbors put up a pool-- coincidence? No idea, but I thought this picture was too cute and detailed to pass up posting. Someday* I won't live in the desert and I'll appreciate all the wildlife pics I have. I'm going to try and post more of them on here so that when I make a book- all sorts of things will be recorded.
Anyone know what this is? I recognize it from my road runner book, but more than that-?

Here are a few pictures of the Fair that we caught at a much needed time. Thanks to our neighbors we were able to attend without paying for the adults, and we got free parking (* in the good, close, convenient spots) We actually got Chloe to go on the rides, and being around Eva she loosened up about 1/2 way into the car ride. From there, it was the turning dragon ride... I couldn't believe how much they wanted to do. We all know how reserved and hesitant Chloe is (she won't even play the birthday party games at anyone's party except ours). The weather was misty and chilly and windy, the rides were expensive but I think the break it provided for our girls' minds was well worth it. I hope we fall into similar luck next year. The girls also got treated to cotton candy, and Gabe even had a pinch. He got pretty excited about it once he let us put it on his tongue. Date of pics: 9/13/09

A quality pet.

I don't think there is a child out there that hasn't had a pet of some sort growing up. In Chloe's curriculum they suggested getting a terrarium and some crickets to see how animals live, etc. I mentioned this to Brian as a 'whatever' kind of possibility, knowing the things would just die and - "What is the point in buying something you know is just going to die in a matter of weeks?" Brian fully supports this schooling at home, so he volunteered to get 'us' a fish. That night Chloe and daddy had a date. To the 'pet store'/"Walmart"... and came back with what seemed like everything a fish would need- food, pretty gravel, a 'cage'... And so we set it up that night and the tiger barb fish was named, 'Cow'. The next morning it received another name - 'Cow Stripes'.... so it was that they were happy with Cow Stripes. Gabe stared deviously at the aquarium...hm. Good thing it was out of his reach, eh? The girls traded off feeding the fish food and all seemed so good - a focus on living things instead of a recent loss. Until this morning as the girls got up for their morning breakfast and sat at the table. "Cow Stripes is sleeping!" Really? I checked it out and sure enough he was 'sleeping' on the bottom of the tank floor. I immediately headed to my room where I told Brian he was going to have to tell the girls the news. Eva argued with him for quite some time - and it didn't help that he started floating up gradually throughout the day..."He woke up, mom!" "No. No, honey. He's just a little more dead..." Chloe strikes out with "Everything's dead. The babies dead! Cow's dead!" That didn't sit at all well with us and we let her know that was understandable, but not acceptable to say. Moving on- we sucked it up, went to the official pet store and bought a beta fish. Apparently- the other fish needed the 'air bubblers' to live. Go figure. "The fish just ran out of oxygen and basically suffocated," the lady announced to our family of pet-co cart pushers. (I love their mini-carts there) That 'bubbler thing' would have been nice to know Wal-man.... So now we have a male beta, named Rainbow who is a 'girl' and fish food and dechlorinator. And I hope this lasts more than 3 days. (The girls laughed hysterically as I flushed Cow down the toilet. The idea was just absurd to them... I didn't have them watch but did 'the deed' while they were munching snacks. "Goodye Cow! Have a good time in heaven!") And thanks to Cow, we are now more educated about keeping fish.

As time goes by....

And time goes by...not always as I thought it should but it does regardless. I have been through a d/c, d/e, and well- a lot of physical and emotional things this last week that have physically and spiritually brought me to my knees. I know I was chosen for this test for an increase in wisdom and knowledge. What exactly that means I will probably look back on this experience and see, given the time to heal. I cannot say that I've been alone on this whirlwind. Yes, it may seem corny to call it so, but seriously - it really has been. One turn after another.... Brian has been whirled into this more than I thought he ever imagine he could be. I think the storm has finally passed, but Brian's remained a strength for me spiritually, emotionally, and physically and for that I am so so so grateful for. I pause at moments to look at him and think, "Wow. I married him, and I couldn't have picked anyone else so perfect for me." Heavenly Father knows who I am. Fact 1.
My family has been so good. Chloe made me cards upon cards with lots of happy and loving hearts (on just one we counted 42!) and Eva has given lots of smiles and snuggles ("I love you. And I still love baby," she'll say as she kisses me goodnight and blows kisses up to heaven.) Ah, to have the simple faith and knowledge of a child. Gabe has been a good snuggler and just like time keeps moving on and I cannot wallow too long or I'll miss something, I just know it! I've received meals from dear friends several times now, and gorgeous flowers from loving family and friends as well. After telling the girls the sad truth a little over a week ago, I was trying to get them to sleep - enticing them by dreaming about their little brother or sister up in heaven. Here's a conversation that touched me.... Families are put together by divine knowledge to give us strength and no real 'oopses' happen. Fact 2.
me : "What are you going to dream about? Maybe your baby brother or sister?"
eva : "Ya!"
me : "What do you think she's wearing (as Eva has determined this loss to have been a girl) up there? What do you think she'll eat?"
eva : "Polka-dot pink jammies, and bubble-gum ice cream! But- not too much or else she'll have cavities."
me: "Oh - that's a cool thing about heaven though- NO CAVITIES! When we get there we'll be able to eat as much as we want of anything!"
<>
Chloe: Do you know what I'll dream about? I'll dream about my little sister too, and do you know what I'll picture her doing? I'll imagine that Jesus is holding her. Do you remember how much he loves little children?
me: *soooo quietly... "yes. I do."
Chloe: Well I bet he's so happy to see her again, and she's really happy to see Him, too.
me: Yes, Chloe - I'm sure you're right. Good night. I love you.
Families can be together forever. Fact 3.

Remember the Lilies

So today I had some bummer news. The baby is dead.. died, I guess should say. I am going in for d/e tomorrow and will be trying to not freak out (which I should say is not my strong point when I'm told to 'sit' and 'relax'. I'm doing ok and so is the family. We are being taken good care of by the Relief Society and friends. It's the furthest along I've been so far with a miscarriage- just 20 weeks. The baby was at least 17 weeks along, and from the ultrasound today Brian was pretty sure it was a girl. It doesn't really matter I suppose anymore-- and I'm just really bummed I had kinda just gotten psyched up for this kido to come. The Lord is wise in all things. My favorite scripture comes to mind, of which a part reads "remember the lilies how they toil not....etc" Look it up and it will most likely bring comfort to you too! But - that scripture rings a true message. I need not worry or wonder all day why things happen. The Lord will make sure that things are the way they ought to be as long as I am doing all I can. Who knows the big Y, anyways? Good night. Now we've got two beautiful children on the other side, I believe anyways. Brian treated me to a haircut and a pedicure today to try and start this ''fresh start'' I want to do with this. I'm going to lose weight, get finances in order and you know - collect myself and my family for the next little while. Please - no comments need be for this post. I write it more for informational purposes than as a call for pity. If the Lord is my strength, I shall not want.

The Boss, The Break

Yesterday we are having dinner and my three year old looks at Brian and after a minute she comments, "You are the husband," and gesturing to me she continues... "And you are the boss." Leave it to Eva....

This morning asking Chloe to make a peanut butter and jelly for her and her sister, she runs off excitedly "OK MOM!!" Upon finding his daughter climbing ledges and getting out food Brian took over and let her make her baby brother's sandwich. She came in to my room upset and sat down on the bed mentioning something about being mad. After talking with her I think she felt that this was her big break into becoming more 'grown up'. I'll have to give her more opportunities like that when it's not situation-induced. It's a mommie moment to realize she truly does like to help out around the house and these opportunities to feel needed, appreciated and loved are not viewed as horrific chores. hm.

For those in Twilight saga- I've gotten to pg 100 in Twilight today. Very different indeed from the movie... same, but different. It's going to be a long night and I have two novels to choose from: "The Time Traveler's Wife" and "Twilight". Hm. Not really a hesitation on this one. Book club can give a little....

August for us - whew!

Ok - August began slowly - I don't think I've stopped since August 10. We went down to Phoenix in the early morning of the 11th. Eva had an -- I can't even call it really an accident- a purpos-dent of poop in 8am bumper to bumper traffic. Thank heavens for our van with windows that all roll down... poor Chloe who was downwind from that. Thanks for my wonderful husband who took her stinky bum into Target pitched those brand new panties and sniffed out her new skirt to see if it was 'tainted' only to have her completely pee in it as we went across the street AFTER they had just gone potty. Congrats to Chloe who tested into the first grade material and had no hesitations in meeting her new teacher or anyone in the school. She's being challenged, actually having to think now to figure things out. Work.. huh - what a concept! She's doing awesome though, and I'm super happy that she's beginning to love doing home/online school. She's had to kinda skip some of the relaxing activities kindergarten has though- play dough time and stuff. Her teacher is awesome - she's been so incredibly patient with me as I learn how to be the "Learning Coach". We had a side visit to the Phoenix Zoo in the really hot weather. Ya. Hot. Yuck.
Gabe started walking around my birthday. What a wonderful present- on Mother's Day he started crawling. He must be a Mommie's Boy. He's trying to run now and it's almost like a funny dance as he uses his whole body to make each step. He's into hiding his head - or rather dropping it to the floor and playing 'peek-a-boo'. He does this when he feels anyone see's him - shy. Cute little shy boy - beast. He's eating one and a half pbj on top of a 9oz bottle. Tonight he tore up some fish sticks like they were nothing! He had two teeth break through - one on the 23rd and one on the 30th. He's getting some more but I'm not sure where and he's not very open to having me explore his little gums. He loves playing with his sisters and says 'da da da' - and head banging is a new fad with his fav people.
I s'pose I'm about 20weeks. The Dr is trying to get me in for blood work but it feels pointless trying to take all the kids, and then there's dinner - Chloe's school in the am... Always something taking precedence. I think I'll have the boy/girl ultrasound soon. I'm just in no rush for this pregnancy. Maybe it's because I'm not incredibly uncomfortable and have so much other stuff taking up my time right now. I have no preference....just healthy and happy. And on time. :0)
Brian's working with 'work politics' right now- back to a 5 day workweek and soon to be salary- is there any real benefit though? Just more work for a set pay, in my opinion. It's been so long since I've had to think work politics. RS is going- we've got an Enrichment coming up that I'm kinda excited for. We'll see how it goes. B's got some schooling left- feels like forever until it's done, right?
Eva can write her name now, Chloe is adding /carrying digits and learning computer parts when she can buddy up with Daddy.
Gosh - I think that's it. Other than my bday- which I got the Twilight series and a pajamagram for the cozy nights until baby comes. I've also gotten a new cookie sheet, a cheesecake pan, fun socks... I'm really excited about the little things, can't you tell? Seriously - beautiful food and comfortable me... how much better can things get?