Care Bear Countdown... to Dinah's Birthday!

As we get ready for Christmas over the next two days, I have a 

little nagging in the back of my mind because Dinah's birthday

 is the 3rd...... and I have done NOTHING but invitations!  

I usually try to do lots of homemade decorations and 

preparations, but with little Miss Audra's arrival... 

I just haven't had the time! 

 I'll be lucky to get my house "clean" before company

 comes tomorrow!  I'm sure I'll figure something out for 

Dinah's birthday (and Eloise's only a few weeks later!)...

Yikes!

Here are the invitations I made:

I usually hand make as much as possible... 

but I was running out of time and had to 

use the computer for the inside. 

I hope to post pictures from her party... eventually! 

 First I need to just get through Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Most of our Christmas cards have gone out 

(except for a few stragglers that I need to get a right address for!)... 

so I thought I'd share the pictures we used on our card.  

Of course, they are not professional... 

just little old me taking pictures with my little old camera.  

But that's OK... they're still just as special, if not more 

(since they were only slightly staged... and free).  

Haha!

We are still adjusting to life with little Miss Audra.... 

but it's been a blessing... 

even if I do feel like a professional juggler at times!

Hope you're all ready for Christmas!  

We are just about... just a little bit of wrapping to do!!

Only 8 days to go!

Our Little Bundle of JOY....

Audra Joy

Born November 26th, 2014

7:04PM

7 lbs, 8 oz

19"

You may've seen my sister's post last week.  

I told her to go ahead and post something if she wanted 

since I didn't figure I'd feel up to it right away!

It's (almost) a week later and little Miss Audra is up to 8 lbs already.

We are all still adjusting, but I think it's going fairly well!

Of course, that is all bound to change when Cory

goes back to work.  He was planning on it tomorrow, 

but unfortunately we are still dealing with Eloise's rash

from back in OCTOBER!  So he has to take her back 

to the dermatologist.  He has been able to do some

work from home though, thanks to modern technology!

Overall, we haven't had any major meltdowns... (yet).

Eloise is absolutely THRILLED to have a baby in the house!

Dinah doesn't seem phased either way!

We are just trying to balance all around.

At times it is quite the juggling act!

But we are BLESSED!

We hope to soon take Audra to meet her Pappy

who wasn't feeling well enough to make a trip to the 

hospital when we were there.  We've also had

some icky weather to deal with!

I sometimes forget it's already December!

So much to be thankful for!

 

Patiently Waiting....

Christmas Dress Reveal!

If you read my post from the other day, you'd know I have been 

working on sewing my girls Christmas Dresses 

for the Holiday season.  

I have to admit, despite using a pattern that said VERY EASY... 

I made my share of mistakes!  

However, I am pretty happy with the outcome.  

And I even managed to make a little pair of baby shoes 

for our new little bundle to wear (assuming they fit!).

Eloise was very happy to have a red dress...

 as that is her favorite color. 

 Dinah doesn't care one way or the other!  

(The fabric has little snowmen on it.  I know it's hard to tell)

I haven't been feeling very well today...

woke up feeling icky.

So I am hoping to have a chance to relax a little later on.

Have a great weekend!

We just had our first little spray of snow, 

though luckily it didn't stick!

A Look at Halloween!

The girls are finally over their colds... 

so we were finally able to go "trick or treating"!

That basically means visiting Cory's folks, my folks and sister's family... and making a stop at an Old Folks Home (where my grandma used to live before she passed) to visit the people there.

Unfortunately, I didn't get very good pictures!  It is so hard to get those two to stand still!  But here are several of what I got!  

 (Poor Dinah's head was over-stuffed a bit 

and so her face didn't fit too well!!)

I worked really hard on those costumes.  May seem silly, I know.  They only get to wear them for a short time... but I hope they'll look back someday and appreciate the time and effort I put into it.  And they have been SOOOO excited to wear them.  Dinah has been yelling, "Carebear Countdown!  1, 2, 3, 4, 5!!!"  (She obviously doesn't understand the countDOWN part yet!  haha!)  We got a lot of smiles and ohhs & ahhs at the old folks home.  I am glad Cheer Bear and Funshine Bear could brighten some peoples' days!!

Christmas is Coming! Christmas is Coming!

I am done with my Christmas Shopping... 

decided to wait to wrap until I'm rid of this large belly 

(or as "rid" of it as I can be after only a few weeks postpartum!)  

So, of course I have to work on another project since Halloween is over!

Christmas Dresses for the girls!

Cory doesn't care for the fabric.  

But I think it will be cute when they're all done!  

Paired with white turtle necks and tights... I am hoping it will be

as sweet as I envision!  

I even have a little extra fabric left over that I may make a 

little pair of matching shoes for the baby! :)

I will post pics, of course!

36 Weeks

Here I am... 36 weeks and not even wearing sweatpants today!

That is a major thing around here!  

I usually only wear "other" pants if I'm going out in public

 or I know we'll be having company.  

I mean, who really wants to 

feel constricted by those garsh darn maternity pants?  

So uncomfortable!  

Anyway!

All is well, as far as I know... though I did have some

Braxton Hicks and a few pains yesterday.

They subsided and I didn't have anything much going on today.

My next appointment is Wednesday!

Eloise is sleeping in her "new big girl bed" tonight!!!

 

 Technically it's still a toddler bed... 

but it's not her crib/toddler bed.

We had a little trouble with her being emotionally 

attached to her old bed.

There were several occasions where even suggesting 

a switch brought her to tears.  But then we decided 

to let her help in the decision making

process... and voila!  She was all about it!

She is super excited that there are drawers underneath!

So is Mommy... 

because that means I can clear out a couple of the

drawers in her dresser for Baby #3!

Dinah was enjoying the new bed this afternoon as well. 

She is now sleeping in El's old bed, though we aren't letting her out

of "crib-mode" just yet. 

It's a little bittersweet to have simple things like this change...

but that's life, I suppose!  And we definitely needed

to make room for Baby!

Tomorrow we head to the doctor to check out a rash El 

developed around her mouth.  We went last week and got

 a cream to put on it.  We are hoping to get the All Clear 

(though there is still a little bit of lingering rash)... 

so we can finally take the girls out in their Halloween Costumes.

Yes, I know it's several days late... but I worked so hard on them...

we are going to make some stops to see family and friends.

We don't do candy anyway... so it will just be fun for the girls

to dress up!  I'll be sure to share pics!

Hope you have a wonderful week ahead!

The Name Game

If you've followed my blog at all over the past year or so... you'll know we are expecting our third child in the very near future.  You'd also know that we opted (again) not to find out the gender!  It's just more fun that way (at least for us!).  The only bad part is having to have a name ready for a girl AND a boy.  Cory and I just can't decide.  Eloise has given us some suggestions (she's 3.5 yrs old)... one name was Simba.  (Hmmm... not quite what I had in mind).  Here is a list I started.... and Eloise wanted to add on her ideas....

You'll notice "Broby" and "Darth Vader" as boy names.  She hasn't contributed any girl names because she's really pulling for a little brother!!  :)

We've gotta get on our giddy-up... or this baby may have no name come Birth Day!!

(Not even joking!)

Autumn seems to be zipping right into winter in these parts!  The weather forecast is calling for a mix of rain and snow on Friday.  I have to admit, I'm not looking forward to it.  I feel like we barely had a chance to enjoy the changing leaves and cool, crisp air. 
But, it is what it is!

 (Playing Peter Pan.... "Wendy" is reading a book to Dinah)

We have been stuck inside for the past week or so.  Not that we go out all that much (this preggo mama is too pooped most of the time!)... but both girls have had a bit of a cold and Eloise has developed a rash around her mouth (which you can see in above picture).  A trip to the doctor to confirm what it was, some medicine... and we are really hoping it's gone by Friday so she can do a little trick-or-treating!  I can't wait to reveal their costumes!  In the meantime, we have been wiping noses, sanitizing toys and doing laundry non-stop.  I'd say that Cory and I both are pretty weary of it all!  BUT, we hope that it will all be out of the way before Baby arrives.  (2-4 weeks!)  I don't have a picture to share because the last "belly pic" I took was atrocious.  But maybe I'll share a 36 week picture next week!  I had an appointment yesterday and things are looking fine.  The baby's head is down, which is not surprising since I am constantly feeling little feet shoving my right side! :)

Eloise has started "school".  She already knows her alphabet, colors, shapes and counting to 50 and higher.... but we are working on preschool type things just to get her to learn to follow directions, penmanship/line control and other basics.  She enjoys it SO much!  She begs me every day to do more.  I know that won't last long, so I'll take it while I can get it!

Dinah is enjoying playing... especially "Weegos" (Legos)... but sometimes will join in for some "school" (aka: scribbling) as well.  :)

Despite the colds, rashes, multiple frenzied wiping of noses, extra laundry and sanitizing... I am trying to enjoy these last few weeks with just me and My Girls.  I admit that I am TIRED, frustrated and can't wait to not be pregnant anymore.... but I also want to enjoy these special moments of just the three of us at home together.  Everything is about to change (for the better, of course)... but it's a little bittersweet to know it won't be just me, Dinah and Eloise in a few short weeks.  I am blessed for sure!  And soon to be blessed with one more!

It's Fall!

I took the girls outside the other day to try to get some Fall pictures.... but then I realized that most of the leaves were already raked up!  At least we had a couple of pumpkins!  And THEN... I had a hard time getting both girls to focus, stay still, look at me, yadda yadda!  You get the idea!  So... this is what we got!

It has been a chilly, wet Fall around these parts... hopefully we'll get a little more sunshine soon!

A Little Halloween... and 33 Weeks!

Here is a sneak peek of what my girls are going to be for Halloween... maybe you can guess?

 I have been working on the machine sewing part of the costumes.... and my machine broke the other day!!  Thank goodness my mom let me borrow hers!  I am hoping that I can take mine in for service and repairs, however it's a pretty old machine (my great grams)... so I don't know if they'll be able to get parts for it or anything!  We shall see!  I need to really get working on these costumes!  Not much time left!

In other news.... I'm 33 weeks today!  Only 4-7 to go!

Ok, so technically this picture is a day early... but same difference!  :)

30 Weeks!

It's update time!

I really should update more, but I spend too much time

 as it is on the computer as we get ready for an 

Annual Fall Festival (this weekend!).  I have been helping

 coordinate vendors and keep up with their Facebook page, 

so it feels like there is always an email to respond to, 

a list to update or a picture or update to post!  

Maybe once the festival is over I will feel like getting

 back to blogging... or maybe not.  We'll see!

Anyway... 

I am officially 30 weeks and 1 day! 

There have been no major catastrophes to report.  

Blood pressure good.  

Passed my Glucose Test.

My weight is questionable, in my own opinion... 

but the doctor doesn't seem bothered by it (and he is a stickler!).

I have a hard time getting up off the floor (after playing with the girls)...

it's more like a grunt and a roll than anything!  Haha!

And I have some hip issues when I sleep...

but other than that - little to no heartburn!

So far.

Please excuse my crappy picture!

I must say though... this little one has had the

hiccups WAY more than I remember the girls having them!

I'll probably start getting a bag packed in a few weeks,

just in case!  And I am already working on a sheet to 

leave with whoever ends up watching the girls.

With food allergies, inhaler treatments and routines, 

it's best to be prepared so that someone else will

know what to do when Cory and I aren't around!

Before I go... here's a recent pic of me and my girls!

 ((LOVE))

On to September...

-This silly girl turned 20 months old this month!
-She has really been growing... went from the 20th percentile in height to the 75th in just 3 months!
-She really does not like to wear clothes (haha!)... we'll have to work on that now that the weather is getting much cooler!  I feel like I am constantly getting her dressed and she is constantly undressing herself!
-She claims her favorite color is "GEEN" (green) when you ask her - we'll see if that sticks!
-She doesn't like most veggies so we have to hide them in other food, if we can.  Although she *will* eat green beans, chunky tomato soup and asparagus voluntarily.  Hates potatoes!
-If she is upset, she will throw herself on the floor.  A favorite phrase is "want to" - which actually means "I don't want to". 
-Her vocabulary is very large and she speaks in some sentences... but my favorite thing is to hear her sing!  She currently loves "You are my Sunshine", "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", "Happy Birthday"... and "Burning Ring of Fire" (yes, Johnny Cash).  She also likes to hum the "Imperial March" from Star Wars, thanks to her sister and 8 yr old cousin... though she has no idea what Star Wars even is.  :)
-Oh yes... and I can't forget... she has been using the potty for about a month and a half!  She isn't perfect... so she's still in diapers... but she's been filling up her potty charts pretty well!  A much different experience from potty training her sister!
-Her favorite toys are "Cubby" from Jake & the Neverland Pirates (constantly carrying the little figurine around)... as well as a "Wendy" figurine from Peter Pan.  A "Michael" (from Peter Pan) stuffed animal... which she calls "My-all"... and her "Suzy" Mouse from Cinderella.  If she can't find one of them she'll call out, "My-all, where are, My-all?!" - it melts my heart, of course.  :)

Her sister is growing and changing every day as well... definitely the in-charge older sibling!  Though they're both pretty good at holding their own!

Only about 10-11 weeks until they're BOTH older siblings!

Christmas Shopping 95% Complete!

I know, I know... summer isn't even over yet... 

and here I am ready to talk about Christmas!

I can't help myself.  With baby #3 on the way, I am really trying to be

 on-the-ball and organized with my Christmas shopping list! 

 I just don't want to be waiting until the last minute.  

The crazy thing is, I have SO many other household things I 

should probably be getting in order before even thinking of Christmas... 

but those things are too overwhelming at this point.  SO... I have almost 

everyone on my list taken care of... and once everything arrives, 

you better believe I'm going to get it wrapped! 

 Oddly, I feel a sense of satisfaction 

about silly things such as getting my Christmas presents wrapped.  

I even help my neighbor wrap hers!

Here is a rag garland I made that I plan on giving to my 

neighbors a little early this year so that they can use it to decorate with. 

I made a bigger one for a friend and sent it to her for her birthday 

(yes, in August)... so I decided to use the left over 

fabric to make another.  Something simple to make that adds a 

little pizazz to holiday decorating!  

I know my neighbors will really like it!

What about you?  Do you do your Christmas Shopping early?

Any hints or tips?

Fair Time!

 Last week my mom brought my sister's kids over and we headed
for the county fair!  It was Dinah's first time...
and though she didn't show much expression in the pictures, 

she did enjoy herself.  I think she was just so busy taking it all in!

I was very thankful for my niece and nephews who helped

Eloise on and off the rides, sitting with her and helping her hold on.

I wasn't able to help, since pregnant people aren't allowed on

the rides (not that I would get on while pregnant anyway!)

Dinah's first ride ever!  

The carousel!

I was a bit on edge the whole time, knowing that there are many
germs and many unthinking kids (and adults) there. 
With El's food allergies and Reactive Airway Disease, 

it is just so scary to let her be in such a high traffic, dirty place.
But I always keep her medicine within reach... and there is
a hospital not too far away... so even though I was

on edge, I was glad she could have the experience. 
THOUGH, she did start to break out in hives while on the
carousel (above).  Thankfully when they got off, we wiped

everyone's hands and took a little break and the hives
seemed to go away.  (phew!)

Someone was excited to get on the Ferris Wheel

for the first time ever!

She LOVED it!  

Dinah stayed on the ground with Mommy!

 Once again, I was so thankful for my sister's kids (and my mom)
helping my girls on the rides.  We all had a good time...
I'm sure the girls will look forward to next year
when the time rolls around!