Project Life 2012: Week 45 - 46

November 4 - 10

We visited my mom this week and it's always a good day when we see Gramma.  The kids made handprint turkeys and got spoiled as usual by Gramma.  We stayed for dinner and the kids were so excited when Pappi got home from work.  Oliver was getting a bit of a cold, so he was fussier than usual and I was glad to have my mom's help for the day.

We got out to vote this week for the presidential election.  We know it is a privilege to have our voice heard and spent time explaining why we vote to our kids, but it was funny listening to them process it.  Valerie said, "Mommy, Ollie almost pick up his head...so he can vote!"  Then, later, as we waited for the election results, I asked them who they thought would win the election.  Without skipping a beat, Valerie declared, "Daddy!"  My uncle John's response when I shared it on facebook was, "Romney and Obama wll both be giving their concession speeches in a few minutes. All hail President Ted!" Ha!  

I've been teaching the kids to use a scissors by giving them scraps of paper to cut and showing them how to hold it safely in their hands.  They could sit for hours cutting tiny pieces of paper into confetti.  Of course, I always supervise this activity and try to hide the scissors where they can't find it when they are done cutting.  But it was bound to happen sooner or later - Valerie got ahold of a scissors when I wasn't looking and cut her hair.  Thankfully it was only a little bit in the front and I was able to give her a cute shorter haircut to fix it.  She looks so grown up now!

Valerie and Almanzo absolutely adore their baby brother.  They love to watch him learn new things, yelling for me to hurry over anytime he even makes half a smile.  "Mommy, Ollie smile at me!"  He is the first one they kiss good night at bed time and he gets spoiled all day long with loads of hugs and kisses.  They beg to hold him and he just soaks up the attention.  He will lay on a blanket on the floor curiously watching them all day long and is trying so hard to move so he can play with them someday soon.  One day this week, Valerie declared to me, "Mommy, I not want Ollie grow up.  I want him stay our baby forever!"  And then my heart melted...

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November 11 - 17

Photo by Julia Jean Photography

This weekend, a sweet girl from our church, Christine, did our yearly family photo shoot for Christmas cards.  She found the perfect indoor location at a local florist shop filled with Christmas poinsettias.  The kids know her well from Awana and babysitting, so she was able to capture the perfect photos of our sometimes shy kids.  I absolutely love the photo she captured of the three kids in their owl hats.  I still can hardly believe we have three kids - what a blessing!

My sister came for a visit with my niece this weekend too and the kids were so excited to see cousin Karli and aunt Kelly.  We had fun watching the two babies kick around and melt us with their smiles.  It has been so much fun sharing this part of my mothering journey with my sister and especially exciting to watch our kids grow up together.  Valerie could hardly wait to hold Karli and would have held her all day long if we let her.

This week, for Awana, everyone was supposed to dress up as an American hero.  I had no idea what to do until the day of and somehow managed to pull together the perfect costumes: Betsy Ross, Paul Bunyan, and Johnny Appleseed.  The funny thing is that Ted could almost pass as a lumberjack without trying, because he has several flannel shirts in his wardrobe that he wears often and it's not uncommon to see him wearing his socks hiked up over his pants.  Ha! 

I finally pulled out my old stash of Barbies I had saved for Valerie and she was completely in heaven.  We spent all afternoon setting up Barbie land in the basement and she just couldn't stop smiling about it.  I found a great deal on a mermaid Barbie from Target's online daily deals and somehow she figured it out before I had a chance to wrap it for Christmas.  "Mommy, when it's Christmas, I get a Barbie!"  When I asked her how she knew, she grinned and said, very slyly, "I see it in your closet..." 

Project Life 2012: Weeks 43 - 44

October 21-27

This week started out with our littlest peanut's first Sunday morning at our church.  He slept through the entire service, snug and cozy in my ring sling.  Babywearing has made being a mom of three so much easier, especially when this little one loves being close to his momma.

On Monday morning, my friend Chris did a newborn photo shoot for us.  She was so patient and calm, taking the time necessary to capture the perfect photos of a newborn who demands lots of attention.  We were so happy with the precious moments she was able to capture.

Some new MOPS friends brought us delicious meals this week, graciously making adjustments for my gluten and dairy intolerances.  The meals were a huge blessing as we got used to a new routine as a family of five.  Ted's response to one of the meals was, "I like your new friends!"

My mom came to visit this week too.  It was a rainy, dreary week, but we took advantage of the short break in the rain for a short walk to the park down the road.  When we got back, she helped Valerie and Almanzo make a fun leaf project, washed the dishes, and switched the loads of laundry.  She even brought cookies for all of us, including some gluten free ones.  She is such a blessing to us!

We ended our week with an open house with my dad's family at my parents' "new" house.  It was so much fun to introduce our Ollie to all the aunts, uncles, and cousins who have eagerly awaited his arrival.  My grandparents met him for the first time too and (great) grandma was so excited to hold both of her newest great grandchildren. 

A funny little story from this week:  Almanzo has been a picky eater lately.  He will sit down for a meal, take one look at his plate, and declare, "I not like this."  But, he will look at Ted's plate and say, "Mmm...my want your food, daddy."  So, Ted will switch plates with him and roll his eyes as Almanzo gobbles up "daddy's food". 

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October 28 - November 3

Sunday afternoon was trick or treat in our city and it was just warm enough for us to go for a nice walk as a family of five.  Valerie insisted in being a princess this year and we found the cutest dress on Target's clearance because we weren't impressed with any of the actual princess costumes we found.  Almanzo was a pumpkin, wearing a cute handmade costume I found at a rummage sale when he was a baby.  Oliver joined in on the fun dressed in the cute little cow costume my sister bought when Almanzo was a baby.  I wrapped him up in my new Moby wrap and he slept peacefully the whole time.

The best quote of the day was Almanzo's response at the first house we went to.  We had taught them to say, "trick or treat", but Almanzo made us laugh so hard when he insisted on saying, "Give me some!" instead.  The home owner laughed right along with us and said, "A boy after my own heart!"  Ha!

Valerie and Almanzo continue to amaze us with their imaginations.  They love to pretend to go to work like daddy or take care of baby dolls like mommy.  They decided to use blankets on the table to make a tent this week and had hours of fun with it.   Almanzo, of course, decided it was way more fun to swing from the table like a monkey.  Oh, that boy!  And then, there are moments when they just can't seem to get along and insist on getting into as much trouble as possible.  I told them one day to please play in their room quietly before I went crazy and Valerie's response was, "But I want to be crazy with you!" 

Project Life 2012: Week 39 - 42

September 23 - 29

37 1/2 week baby bump

the birthday trio

I love this girl

cuddles with my big boy

 tickle war with daddy

pretty miss Matia

the frosting queens

my favorite niece

 homemade beef stew and gluten free dinner rolls

my dad's new "toy" - a riding lawn mower and snow blower

38 week baby bump

Despite contractions off and on this weekend, our littlest peanut is still comfy-cozy in mommy's womb.  We're in the home stretch now, so we're trying to take it easy and enjoy these last few days or weeks before baby arrives.  Our fun this week included another visit with my cousin, Sparrow, and her sweet little Matia while celebrating birthdays and watching the Packer game.  My cousin, Alyssa, our Almanzo, and my mom have birthdays right around the same time, so we did a joint birthday party.  I made a big pot of beef stew and Sparrow helped me make some gluten free dinner rolls and cupcakes.  My aunt Michelle made a yummy cake as well.  Almanzo was having so much fun playing with aunt Michelle.  He kept running up to her and giggling with glee as she lifted him up into the air. 

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September 30 - October 6

  39 Week Baby Bump

 THREE car seats!

behind the scenes of Almanzo's birthday photo shoot

 we treated the kids to their first Starbucks (salted caramel hot chocolate) on a family outing this weekend

Our littlest peanut is keeping us guessing.  After going into false labor and making two trips to labor and delivery, we are all ready for him to be here in our arms.  Even the kids are anxious to meet their little brother.  Valerie says, "Mommy, I think baby Ollie is ready to pop!...and he really, really needs to!"  I did take advantage of the time to do some last minute preparations like cleaning and installing the infant car seat in the van.  It's strange and exciting to see three car seats in our van. 

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October 7 - October 13

one morning I found the kids in bed together reading stories - so sweet!

 

guess who turned THREE?!?

40 week baby bump

our littlest peanut

As of my 39 week appointment, I was 3 cm dilated and the plan was to schedule an induction on the 15th if baby wasn't here by my appointment on the 12th.  My official due date was the 11th...and baby finally decided to make his arrival on the 12th.  You can read the rest of the story here and here.  We are so in love with him and so blessed to have him here safe and healthy. 

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October 14 - October 20

milk drunk babe

wiggle worm

one week old

pigtails for my sweet pea

cow girl boots for a bike ride with daddy?  of course!

babywearing at the grocery store

I can't even describe the feeling of bringing home our healthy baby boy just two days after his arrival.  He is truly an answer to prayer.  This week was all about getting to know our littlest peanut.  Valerie and Almanzo are fascinated with him.  Wednesday night we ventured out as a family of five to Awana.  It was so fun to introduce our church family to our sweet Ollie.  Friday morning I felt well enough (or maybe crazy enough?!) to take all three kids grocery shopping.  Our local grocery store has a Tot Spot where the kids could play while I shopped and they love going there.  While they played, I put Ollie in the ring sling and enjoyed a peaceful shopping excursion while he slept happily cuddled up close.  We were all ready for nap when we got home, but it felt good to get out of the house for a little while.