Random Pics

Here's a compilation of a bunch of pics from our so-far summer.

Crafts, crafts, and more crafts...

Swimming lessons for Sydney:

A field trip to the police department.  Sydney was mesmerized!

Outside time:

Ever wondered what Taylor's hair looks like when it's down? (and blowing in the wind?)

What a week!

Well, my first full official week of summer did not start out as I had hoped.  I had envisioned blowing up our red-neck pool in the backyard, running around outside, getting some good, happy bonding time in.

Monday was gloomy and overcast with some showers, so there really wasn't much going-outside time.  I had two extremely grumpy girls, and I was one very thin-patienced mother.  It was quite the long day, to say the least.  I made the decision rather quickly that I am not cut out to be a stay-at-home-mom!

Come to find out that Sydney had a fever and wasn't feeling well.  Her tummy and my tummy both hurt.  Taylor was acting okay, just not her normal self.  I think we were all just feeling yucky and our attitudes definitely reflected that.

I took Taylor to daycare Tuesday and kept Sydney home (24 hour rule with a fever).  (**Side note- the girls are going to school 2 days a week this summer).  When Sydney started screaming at breakfast that her "neck" hurt (a.k.a. throat), I called the doc and they got me right in.  The verdict: strep.  I told them that Taylor had had a fever the Friday before and projectile vomited at school, and had the fever through Sunday AM but then it went away.  They recommended I get her checked for strep as well.  I went and got her from daycare, and her verdict: not strep, but Hand/Foot/Mouth disease.  (man, gotta love daycare!) 

So, I felt a little guilty for my thin patience on Monday.  I got the girls started on their medicines to get them de-contagioused (is that a word?) ASAP.  Wednesday morning, I kept both home and decided to brave the stores.  We had a great girls' morning out, going to some shops, eating lunch out, and then topping it off with some frozen yogurt.  We went to church that night for a summer grow group they are doing and volunteered in the nursery.  I literally was watching kids from 6 AM until about 8:45 PM.  Can you say tired??

Thursday, since Sydney wasn't considered contagious anymore, I took her to school and kept Taylor with me.  And on Friday, they both went to school.

I've learned a few things this summer.  First of all, how absolutely exhausted and tired I get so easily.  I know I'm about 6 months pregnant, I know it's hot outside, and I know I have 2 toddlers to chase around.  But this is a kind of exhaustion I have not felt... possibly ever?  My whole body- arms, legs, everything literally have no energy.  Last summer, I kept the girls out from daycare completely and it was so not that hard.  I know I wasn't pregnant, and Taylor was only about 6 months old, but it's amazing to me to see the difference a year can make.

Secondly, it is so much easier to handle one kid at a time, rather than 2!  When I had Sydney by herself, or Taylor by herself, it was super easy.  They do a great job at entertaining each other, but lately it's not the kind of entertaining you want. (Hey, Taylor, climb on my bed and let's jump on it!)  You literally take your eyes off them for a minute and they will be getting into some trouble,or someone is getting hurt.

I've also learned that I need to get into teacher-mode when having the girls home with me all day.  We never really have game plans on the weekends, and the girls do just fine.  But, I think I'm going to have to plan out each day, and what activities we are going to do and when.  The fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of day just doesn't seem like it's going to work.

OK, that's my blabbing for tonight.  I thought I'd share some pictures from my phone that I just uploaded. :)

And here's to a better week next week!  And to health!

Toddler park with Taylor.

Coloring time.

Yogurt.

Sydney dressed herself... shoes included! My pretty girl!

Pedicures with Sydney.

This completely melted my heart... this was on the wall in Sydney's class at church.

Julieann's birthday party at McDonald's.

Lollipops make everything better!  (post-doctor visit)

Heck to the Yes

So, I know I've bragged about my super-awesome bargain-shopper skills before.  I had another one of those moments today.

Taylor and I ventured out and hit up Kohl's, Old Navy, and Michael's.  I had a 30% off coupon at Kohl's, and was trying to find some good deals on baby boy clothes.  Of course, I ended up getting some items for the girls, too.  Of course.  Then, I wanted to look at Old Navy just to see what they had, and they had an additional 30% off clearance sale going on.  Yay!  Then, Michael's was just Michael's, but I scored some good deals on a couple of craft items for Sydney and a picture frame.

So... this is the loot.

In total, I got:

• footed PJs
• 2 shirts for the girls
• sunglasses
• baby boy sweater
• 6 tops/outfits for the boy
• 5x7 frame
• 2 crafts
• cute Carter's shoes for Taylor

Retail value- $220.66

I spent- $41.50

That is a savings of 81%! 
Or, that is equal to each item being $2.77 each. 
(Taylor's cute sandals were $34.99 regularly priced- I got them plus everything else for almost the same price!)

At Old Navy, I got these 5 things for a whopping $5.06. (including a shirt for $.33 and one for $.67)

So fun!  Baby boy's clothing collection is building, slowly and steadily.  I'm sure he'll appreciate not having to wear pink.

Belly shot/Summer goals

Yep, I'm getting even bigger!

22.5 weeks

So, one of my goals this summer is to get Taylor's new room (a.k.a. the old guest room) all ready for her to move into when the baby gets here.  I have been the organizing queen lately- all my crafts, holiday decorations, etc. were stored in the drawers in the guest room.  I bought a bunch of bins and put all these things away, nicely labeled.  Stephen was a huge help in the handy-man department, and installed more shelves in the closet, and also built some shelves in our garage to put all my crafty stuff on.

I'm sure these shelves will be filled up before we know it.  Seems to be the trend in our house!

Another goal is to do a variety of cooking.  I planned out about 15 meals so far that I want to try.  Lots of them are crock pot meals- I think when I go back to work, the crock pot will be the way to go.  I'm making meal #2 tonight.  I made chicken parmesan Saturday night in the crock pot, and I'm making beef stroganoff tonight.  We always make enough to eat leftovers the following night, so we only have to cook a few nights a week.

I'm trying to find the domestic woman inside of me... trying deperately!



18 Months!

Taylor is one-and-a-half!  Wow.

She's becoming such a little person, full of all kinds of characteristics.  It'll be fun to see what characteristics stick around in the years to come.

Taylor's communication has really increased this month.  I feel like she says something new everyday!

Here are her 18 month accomplishments:

• New words include: "no", "milk", "nose", "choo choo" (for her toy train), "niii niii" (night, night), "bubble", "thank you" (very pronounced now), "cheeeeese" (when taking a picture), "all done", "Elmo" (instead of Eh-bee), "brush".
• She'll say some animal noises, like "moooo" for cow, and "woof woof" for dog.  
• She's trying SO hard to jump!  She gets about 1/2 inch off the floor.  She also does this funny half-jumping/half-galloping thing around the house.
• When asked, she can point to her eyes, ears, nose, mouth, toes, belly, fingers.
• She had her toes painted for the first time, at Salon de K-Bash.  Man, that entertained her for a long time!  I'd ask her, "Where are your pretty toes?" and she'd get a huge smile on her face and point to her toes.
• Eating peanut butter for really the first time.  She loves it.
• She danced in her first square dance at the mountain house!

Here are some pics from this month:

Swinging at daycare.

Walking with daddy in the mountains.

Swinging some more... I kind of like it!

My first square dance!  Thanks, Grandmom!

Silly Taylor.

She is all about putting on her mommy's shoes.

Her BFF, Elmo.

Taylor's other BFF, Sydney.

Ahhh, the productive life

I had forgotten how good it feels to actually be productive.  I haven't had that feeling in ages.  I mean, the occasional work-productiveness is great and all, but it feels so much better when you can get things done around and for your house.

Yesterday was my first official day of summer, and we woke up, I took the girls to daycare, went for a walk, caught up with some friends on the phone, went shopping at several different stores, went to the doctor, cleaned, organized, made piles for Goodwill, got the girls, cooked dinner, played outside with the girls, welcomed Stephen home from his trip, and did some crafts, all before crashing on the couch around 10.  I got about 8 things checked off on my summer "to do" list. (Yes, you better believe I have one of those!)

Oh, productive days... please continue.

Made another one... this time for my neighbor.

Gotta love Pinterest.

Decluttering!