Ahh!

Things have gone much more smoothly today. Perhaps that is because Sean is here to help wrangle...er, help with Alice. I am hoping to get some cleaning done. This is all dependent upon Sean picking things up. It is getting increasingly difficult to bend down to get things. Bending down to pick up things that aren't ALL the way to the floor (i.e. Alice) is still doable. I have NO problem sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, or doing dishes (unfortunately). I just need someone to pick up the crap the cats and Alice have strewn everywhere.

My dad called me a bit ago, to tell me that Santa will be at the Legion tomorrow. I'm glad because I was beginning to fret about the Santa picture. So we will be heading up there for hot dogs (for the kids), libations (for the Daddy and Granddaddy), and the Colts game (at least I can enjoy this *wink*-unless Peyton forgets what team he plays for again!). So hopefully I will have a wonderful picture for you all tomorrow...along with my belly pic. Geez, where am I at now? 27 or 28 weeks, I think.

Friday Night Leftovers (The I Couldn't Make This Up If I Wanted To Version)

I don't know if anyone noticed, but I have been trying to post more regularly. Hopefully, I can keep this up!

And now for leftovers.

•I had mentioned that I made apple bread yesterday. It is the worst apple bread I have ever made. Seriously! I didn't have enough oil, so I added more flax seed than I usually do. And it is pretty dry. No worries...if we don't eat it all, the chickens will be happy to do so.

•Last night Alice and I did our usual bath/shower. We both get in and I shower, and wash her. Then I get out and fill the tub a little to let her play, while I get pajamas on and dry my hair.

•While I was drying my hair, Mortimer hopped on the edge of the tub, like usual. This time, Alice hugged/pulled him in the tub. He got soaking wet and looked like a drowned rat. Then he proceeded to get the bathroom floor and family room floor soaking wet! I would have been irritated if it wouldn't have been for the fact that it was hilarious!

•So I finish drying my hair, and grab my towel and start mopping up the floor in the bathroom. Meanwhile, Alice keeps gagging herself with her fingers (and a toy). I told her to stop, but no sooner had I said it, she threw up in the tub! Nice!

•So I drain the tub, put a little more water in and wash her again. I let her play for a few more minutes and then start draining the tub, telling her that she has to get out when the water is gone (this helps with no tantrums). I grab her towel, lift her out and go to wrap her up in the towel. She took off running, and wiped out just outside the bathroom (I hadn't mopped that water up yet).

•After picking her up and getting her wrapped up, we proceeded to the changing table to get diapered, lotioned up, and jammies. I always take my rings off when doing lotion, but this time she grabbed my rings and shoved them in her mouth. I did a sweep to get them out, but the engagement ring was already half down her throat and she was choking. So I grabbed her and turned her downwards and did the heimlich. She proceeded to vomit all over her bedroom floor, but the ring came out.

•So I probably sound like an inept parent, leaving small items in her reach that she can choke on. I am just glad I didn't panic, but instead just seemed to know what to do. I have never had to do anything like that before, nor am I sure I did it "correctly" but the goal was achieved none-the-less.

• I had to call poison control just a bit ago. Alice got ahold of some liquid potpourri, and was chewing on the bottle. You know, those pesky teeth. Anyway, I was worried about her consuming some (the lid was still on it though) so called poison control. They said everything was fine, since the lid was on and she consumed very little. I just had to wash her skin off and give her something to drink.

•So in less than 24 hours, I have had several parenting failures (well not complete). I am going to have to get a leash or dog crate for her since I obviously cannot keep up with her. I hate to think what she will manage when I'm nursing a newborn 24/7!

For more leftovers, visit Danifred and leave some comment love!

I Love Days Like This

I woke up before 6 this morning because I had to go to the bathroom, but also because I was starving. So I made apple bread and sausage very early this morning! Sean actually got a "good" breakfast this morning. Alice also woke up very early and ate apple bread. Then we wished Daddy a good day, and Alice and I climbed back into bed and took a nap. We woke up and ate lunch, and then we climbed back into bed, put on Beauty and the Beast, and took another nap.

I think I like waking up early and making breakfast for my family. The only down-side is the unproductive day, but who cares about that when I can cuddle with the cuteness that is my daughter!

When Carnivores Attack

I made meatloaf, mashed potatoes, carrots, and asparagus for Sean's birthday dinner. It was awesome! Probably the best mashed potatoes and meatloaf I have made. Alice LOVED the meatloaf and had thirds...yes, thirds! My little carnivore!

Gretchen has an annoying habit of climbing on me after I get up to go to the bathroom. You know, because she is smart and knows I'm awake. In the course of doing that this morning, she sneezed (actually snotted) all over me. I was furious. I had to get up and wash my face, and then he whole climbing on me began again. I kept moving her to the foot of the bed (which always works after the hundredth time), but got brutally scratched in the struggle.

Someone took an early nap today, and then fell asleep while I was making dinner. She was not happy when I woke her up to eat. I'm a mean mama. She then proceeded to bite my leg in protest. I'll give her a pass this time, since she is running a fever and cutting teeth.

Seriously, do I have a "eat me" sign on my body?

Happy Birthday to My Awesome Husband!

Sean is 40 today! And I think he is still very handsome!

Awesome doesn't begin to really describe how incredible the man is. He works two jobs (construction and UPS in the evenings) for a total of about 13 hours a day, plus travel time. So he is gone normally from 6:30am-10:30pm (sometimes later). He is the most talented man I have ever met. He works on our cars, our house, and pretty much everything else. He is a friend, husband, father, carpenter, painter, plumber, mechanic, and sole provider for our family. No wonder he is so tired all of the time!

His shoulder's carry the weight of the world. He is the strongest man I know.

I read this poem years ago, and thought that I wouldn't settle until I found a man like this.

“If I marry: He must be so tall that when he is on his knees he reaches all the way to heaven. His shoulders must be broad enough to bear the burden of a family. His lips must be strong enough to smile, firm enough to say no, and tender enough to kiss. Love must be so deep that it takes its stand in Christ and so wide that it takes in the whole lost world. He must be active enough to save souls. He must be big enough to be gentle and great enough to be thoughtful. His arms must be strong enough to carry a little child.” ~Ruth Bell Graham

Well I did, and couldn't be happier! I love you, Sean! Happy 40th Birthday!

Manic Monday

This title is very misleading. The only thing manic around here are the kittens and Alice. Which, really, is more than enough.

I have realized a few things. I am now in double digits until the baby gets here. Roughly 97 days. Unless he decides to be late like Alice.

That makes me 26-27 weeks (and I need to take a picture sometime!). Seriously! I have 13-14 weeks (or less) to get ready for this baby! If that isn't enough to make me manic, then I don't know what is. I have ordered a ton of clothes 0-3 months, 3-6 months, and a few 6-9 and 9-12. Just in case this kid is a chunk and is not "true to size" like Alice was. Now to wash, sort, and put them up. And I need to do the same with Alice's clothes. I'm not planning on getting rid of her stuff for a few years (in the off chance that Sean decides to grant my wish for another baby or two).

Oh and for your viewing pleasure, a huge drift from our back yard. It is about 4 feet high and at least 25 feet wide (which is hard to tell in the picture). I have never seen a drift that big in all my life, that wasn't up against a building or something. And, no, I'm a mean mama. Alice was not allowed outside today to play in the snow. Mostly because I have been hurting and have been laying on the couch most of the day...and because she needs better winter gear.

And I am going to say this now...I am already over winter, and it isn't even officially here yet. I'm dreading our gas bills for the next few months. Ugh!

Friday Night Leftovers

I'm still having trouble getting the Friday Night Leftovers button in here.

•Thank you so much for the birthday wishes!

•Have any of your friends ever forgotten your birthday? I have two friends (mother and daughter) who routinely "forget" my birthday. They were both on FB yesterday and didn't even send me a message, or text or call me. And these "friends" consider me their best friend. Hmm. Should I also mention that they owe me a few hundred dollars, which I'm sure I'll never ever see. But I don't care about that. They could at least try to remember me :/ since I'm such a good friend to them.

•It is amazing how messy my house gets while we are sleeping. I woke up to Alice's toys everywhere and her dirty clothes scattered around the house! Newspaper scattered and torn. Gee, thanks, felines!

•Today I will start holiday baking and goodies. On the agenda: sugar cookies, dipped pretzel rods, brownies, snickerdoodles, and maybe turtles if I can get to the store!

•My husband has a bad habit of starting the washing machine, but never putting anything in said machine. So my laundry day now includes his stuff as well! I should say that he normally does his own laundry, but I have been doing it lately. You know, trying to be nice and all! ;)

•Sean and I are planning on going out to dinner and a movie this weekend to celebrate both of our birthdays, if we can find someone to watch Alice.

•It is nice having our birthdays so close, sometimes. I have a twin brother, so I grew up sharing a day with someone else. And now I get to share with Sean! His birthday is Tuesday and he will be 40! Big birthdays for both of us this year!

•Oh, and no one has answered the quote/person from the pancake syrup I made. See here for the quote. I think it is in the second or third paragraph. Winner gets apple pancakes and apple cider syrup! You have to come here, or I can just give you the recipe! Of course, I could always send the winner some goodies that I make too! I know at least two of you (Lindsay and Jen!) probably know who said the quote and from what show!

For more leftovers visit Danifred and share some comment love over the weekend!