31 Weeks

Hard to believe that we are about two months away from the arrival. Two months seems like a long time, but when I look at the tobacco stained, unpainted baby room I think that it is not long enough. Each time we have had a baby there has been last minute painting and set-up in preparation for the newest family member. I guess I will find myself painting once again in the ninth month. Plus we need to move Noah out of the crib and into a bed (which we have ordered, but won't arrive for a couple more weeks). And then find and purchase dressers and book shelves for the kids' room. I am absolutely itching to get out my bin of baby clothes, launder and put them away but that will obviously be the very last step. So a lot to do in the next 9+/- weeks.

On the other side, my due date can't come quickly enough. At least when the baby is here, my sleepless nights will have a purpose, other than my middle of the night internet time. Also, I am actually excited about meeting this new little one. I know, I AM surprised at this! With E I couldn't wait, knew I would love her at first sight, the nine months couldn't pass quickly enough. With N I knew with my head that I would love him immediately, but it was hard for me to believe that I could love another child as much as I loved E. So I spent much of my pregnancy feeling a little unsure of my feelings for the baby within, and how it would all end up in the end, not as eager to meet him. As if my love were a pie, cut up and the pieces already distributed. This time I know with my head and my heart that I will love her, and already do. Thankfully, Love is not a pie.

Happy 6th Birthday E!

Party #1
10:30 am Brunch with family


Party #2
3:00 pm Kitty Party with friends


Ed decorated both cakes, as I am hopeless with icing. Actually, both he and his brother are quite talented in this area. They both do the cakes for their kids' birthdays.

And PS. I am never doing the double party day again!

Oh my darlin' Clementine

I have always liked them, so easy to peel, sweet, no seeds (usually).
But lately, I can not get enough of these little oranges!!
I am seriously tempted to name this baby Clementine, in honor of these cravings.

the 3rd trimester begins

I am officially in my 3rd trimester, and can't believe that in 3 months we will have a new baby!! In fact, the other day Ed and I were talking about next year, how I might not be baysitting Erika because they may be moving, and how N will be in preschool a couple mornings a week. Ed was asking what I was going to do with all that free time, and I thought, "What am I going to do? maybe I should try to get a part time job at the preschool..." and then I remembered-- "Oh! I'll have a baby to take care of! Right." So I guess the reality hasn't quite hit my subconscious yet.

The pregnancy insomnia has hit again. I have been up at 3:30 the past 3 nights or so. I try to get to bed and back asleep by 5, but that doesn't always happen. It's frusterating, but at least it's expected.

Well, it is approaching 5, so I should get myself back to bed.

Happy New Year!

One benefit of getting up early with young children is we see a lot of sunrises. I thought it might be appropriate at the start of a new year to share these photos taken at various times over the past month.

A misty morning:


The sunrise:




A sunny day on the "resi"