Miscellaneous

The other night, Matt and I went in to check on the girls (a nightly ritual; we never know what we’ll find).  I opened the door, glanced in at Natalie, continued on to Joanna’s bed and found a bunch of blankets, pillows, and no Joanna.  I turned around and looked under the crib.  Then I laughed. And in case you’re wondering, I discovered what happens when you leave baking powder out of cornbread.  It ain’t pretty.

If You're Happy and You Know It

Clap you're hands. And if you're not happy, this video will change that. Trust me.
I was sitting in front of her, holding the camera, not doing any kind of hand motions for her to copy. It was all Natalie. This is her FAVORITE song right now, and she gets mad if you won't sing it. Often.

Kind of a Low-Stress Day

First thing this morning I was able to drop off the girls at Lisa’s while I went for my first ultrasound.  Here’s our little kidney bean!  I saw it’s little heart beating, and it’s measuring just about what my due date says it should.  Everything down south looks good.  :)  And there’s just one little baby in there.  Phew.

Then I joined the girls at Lisa’s for a little play day/birthday celebration for Miss Joanna.  Our friends Aidan and Seth were there, but I don’t think I managed to get pictures of them.  I think that’s because they weren’t as messy as the girls.  :) 

Look at the giant cupcake Lisa got for Joanna! 

The kiddos split it, of course, with a little piece left over for Matt. 

Joanna blew out the candle so quickly that I couldn’t catch a picture of it! 

Joanna was a fan.

A big fan.  So was Emma.

Anna too.

 

Joanna, in some of her new duds, had an Elmo book open to sing “Away in a Manger.”

There’s something I just love about this picture.

After play day, I managed to get a quick nap, which always makes me feel better.  Then my wonderful mother watched the girls for a bit while I drove to Humble for my lab work.  When I came home I managed to get the dishwasher loaded and a few toys picked up.  This place has been a total wreck lately due to my very tiredness, but it’s the tiniest bit better.

Then I did something that made me feel wonderful.  I went to Sonic and got dinner.  No plates, no napkins, no silverware.  Just food.  Greasy, warm, cooked by someone else.  I have been craving fries and onion rings forever.  This totally hit the spot.  We haven’t done fast food in months, but I think this was necessary for my sanity/mental health.  We’ve really been trying to not spend any money to eat out, even though we budget a little bit each week for “entertainment.”  My goal is always to put it into savings.  Matt’s goal is to eat it.  We attempt to compromise.  This little splurge tonight made everybody happy.  Joanna was so excited to get a hamuber and french fries and tater tots.  (Um, she had fruit earlier, I promise.)  :)

Thursday morning

Last night I went to bed at 8:30.  I needed it.  This morning the girls slept in a little for me, too!  It was about 7:30 before I heard them very quietly (both in the crib) talking to each other.  Cute babies. 
The roughest part of the morning is the 30 minutes from the time I take my thyroid pill to the time I can eat.  Oh the nausea.  And you know how fun it is to eat when your nauseous, right?  Fortunately it doesn't last long! 
I made a big batch of granola this morning.  Super easy, and very yummy!  I'm going to put some in my purse for those mid-day hunger pangs.  It should also make a very nice cold cereal.  Joanna's eating some dry (and warm!) right now.  She says she likes it. 
I'm finishing up some work (or will be as soon as I'm not blogging anymore) before heading to the church later. 
I think I may have to start going to bed every night at 8:30.  Imagine what that would do to my energy level!

First I ran over my bluetooth with my car in the church parking lot.
Then Natalie fell asleep on the way home.
But then she stayed asleep on me, which is nice.
Joanna said her tummy hurt and tried to go potty.
I was talking quietly to Matt on the phone while rocking the sleeping Natalie.
Joanna got a blanket and crawled up on the couch.
She fell asleep.  An hour ago.  She's still snoring.
Natalie is not.
And I'm pretty sure she's done napping for the day.
I am not.  I haven't even started.
I want to sleep.
A lot.
I'm working in the nursery tonight, which I like, but I'm just a tad worried about staying awake for it.
Maybe traffic will be really light and Matt will get home a little early and fix dinner for himself and the girls and I can sleep from 5-6pm.
Here's hoping.
I really do love growing babies.  I guess I'd forgotten just how stinking tired it makes you.

The Day’s Ramblings

I just had to post that when I went in to pick up Joanna from mother's day out today, I found her ASLEEP!  She was the last one sleeping, and probably slept for a hour and half.  Whoo hoo!  She even went to bed at a decent time tonight, too.  Last night she didn't get down until probably 10:00 and she didn't sleep any later than usual this morning.  She was tuckered!  Her teachers were in shock!  Laura told me they just looked around and Joanna was sawing logs.  Brooke even went over and looked right at her face to make sure.  As you can tell, Joanna NEVER sleeps at school.  She did once or twice I think at the beginning of the year.  It's just not her thing.  She has been napping a lot lately.  I have to be really careful not to let her do it late, though, or she's up very late at night.

I have been sleeping so deeply lately; I'm just so tired!  This morning I felt something at the foot of the bed (just after I heard Natalie start screaming).  I thought it was Matt trying to get me up or putting his shoes on.  Then I discovered it was a little Joanna, and Natalie was crying because she had left her!

I saw custom bunk beds on Kingwood Yard Sales tonight -- made for toddler mattresses!Can't you just imagine little Joanna and Natalie in tiny bunk beds?  I don’t think that’s the direction we’re heading, though.  I’m going to muscle three beds in that room!  Even a twin sized for Miss Joanna.  She’s very excited about getting a bigger big bed.  And Natalie doesn’t know it yet, but she’s going to LOVE the toddler bed!

Today on the way home from school, Joanna started talking about the baby.  Here is the best transcription of our conversation that I can do.  I’ve tried to preserve the grammar (or lack thereof) in it’s original form.

Joanna: Make sure, when you walk, the baby will fall out and bonk her noggin’

Me: (silent hysterical laughter, fumbling for notebook to write this down in at stoplight)

Joanna: She will fall out and bonk her noggin and she will cry.  And I will hold her because I am strong.

Me: Yes, you are very strong.

Joanna: When I be a mommy, I will have her (still talking about the baby who fell out) in my tummy.  When I grow up and be a mommy she will be in my tummy.

Another comment, clearly showing that Joanna does not know whether it’s a boy or a girl:

Joanna: In a few days, I will have a baby brother.

I’m wondering if she’s actually talking about some of this with people at school or if this all comes from her head.  She cracks me up.  She is always asking what kind of baby it will be.  It’s so fun to have her to talk about this stuff with!  Oh, the mind of a three year old.  :)

Treasures

Here are some of the treasures I’ve found so far in going through the stuff from the garage.  We’re not finished yet, but… baby steps, okay?

Something from my kitchen wish list – a potato masher!So apparently this is a garter that Matt caught at one of his brother’s weddings.  Or at least that’s the story he’s sticking with.  I’ve been looking forever for a pencil sharpener!  Mostly I use electric pencils, but occasionally I have one I want to sharpen, and I need one for colored pencils.  I’m very excited.  :) A whistling tea kettle.  I think it’s going to be able to be cleaned enough to use.  We have a tea kettle, but it doesn’t whistle.  I guess I won’t want it to always whistle, but it’s handy for those times I walk away from the kitchen and completely forget I was planning to make tea. And the very best treasure of all:  Matt’s bear from when he was a boy.  Oh my.  Joanna played with it for a little while and one of it’s eyes fell out.  It’s new home is on top of the tall dresser now, to be seen and loved from afar.