pics

So much to say about life lately, but not enough time to put my thoughts into words.  Pictures are just as good, right? 

First garden, ever.  Humble as it may be, can you tell I'm pretty proud of it? :)

Baby swing...taken down the night before I woke up to see this.  Jeepers, traumitization averted!

Who doesn't love crackers and watermelon for supper?

 

 



 

19 weeks...thanks Jayda.  BTW- why does the shape of my bump look like a toddler's tushy?



For those who haven't heard...it's a girl!!!!!!  I forget what it's like to have a baby girl, but we sure are excited.  Thankful to see she is healthy too!  I'll update later with a few pictures from the ultrasound but right now my baby boy is calling me...

perfect

Had to share my Bible verse of the day today (via email- thanks hubby:)...so true, and beautiful.  In just two days we will get to see what has been going on inside my own womb.  I can't wait to see the little munchkin, and pray the only surprise will be a good one.  If I had to guess, I would say its a boy.  I'll let you know!   


Ecclesiastes 11:5

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

surprise surprise

Step 1: admit you have a problem
Step 2: fix the problem

 

I'm ecstatic to say the problem is solved and the new color is just right.

drama queen

Thanking my sweet Father in heaven, and my full strength cup of coffee, for dulling the 3 day headache that has kept me awake at night and made me wonder if I have an aneurysm, preclampsia, brain tumor from all the wireless internet in my house, or a reaction to the salty cream of chicken I made the other day (with twice as much boullion as needed, oops).  Turns out it was probably just a tension headache:)  By the way...I am embaressed to mention this, but I have NOT felt baby move in the last few days.  Makes me wonder if all that movement last week wasn't from the baby afterall.  ???  Classic, Lo.  Classic.  

HA

give a baby watercolors...


...and he will make kool-aid!
 

better than a dozen roses

 

butterflies

About 24 hours ago I noticed some strange digestion going on in my tummy after I juiced a bag of carrots.  Weird, I thought, I've never felt that before.  Then last night I'm laying in bed thinking, maybe my appendix is going out and it's spewing infection into my stomach?  I was seriously puzzled because whatever it was, it was random but never went away.

Then after lunch today I realized...DUH it's the BABY!!!!  I've never felt movement this early, but boy do I have an active little one in there!  Made me smile, even though everyone was either crying or whining at that moment.  And made me laugh because you'd think the fourth time around I would know what to expect.  Oh Baby...surprising your mama already!

Ohhhh yea

Look who came out to eat with us Monday night....Aunt Heidi and kiddos!  Unbelievable, right?  Heidi and I walked in the door with all 6 kids who were coincidentally eligable for kids eat free night...ok maybe that's how I convinced her to come.  So for around $20 we stuffed our faces with pizza, cheese sticks, chicken fries, potatoes, salad, peaches, and a whole lotta dessert pizza.  Mmmmmmm.  Who's coming with us next Monday night??? :)


 

 

home

Isn't it weird how fast the months fly by and yet each morning....afternoon...evening...drags on and on and you feel like bedtime will never come?  The last three months we've been loners out here at the trees, but it's so nice to have Grandma and Grandpa Brody back.  Funny, it almost feels like they never left. 

   

Silas was serious about feeding the animals while they were gone.  He would run down the driveway and usually Belle would pop her head out of the cat door when she heard us coming.  Makes me laugh every time, especially when your 1 year old points and says "Belle" with a "you silly dog" tone of voice over and over.    

I wasn't sure how Silas would react when we picked them up, but he held that sweet little smile on his face the whole time.  Jayda and Jonah are soooo excited to have them back.  Tonight Jonah told me, "Grandma is our neighbor and she is the best neighbor ever.  I'm so happy she's our neighbor because she is the best."  He's all about things being "the best" right now.  Jonah, you are one-of-a-kind in so many ways!  

And here's a few photos taken by...our NEW CAMERA!  My old camera was hot stuff back in the day (6 years ago I think?) but it was definitely time to upgrade.  Ahhhh it feels good.  Thanks in advance, Aflac:)

And yes, that's a maternity shirt.  13 weeks and counting...loving sweatpants and big shirts because this baby wants to make itself known!

 Somebody, (hint hint hubby) put that enclosure up around the trampoline, please!

Thanks Dad for putting up the swing!  He will love it, especially now that it's not hung 5 feet off the ground.

oops

Oh yea, I have a blog.  Ha!  I'll blame the lack of posting to this gorgeous weather we've had the last couple weeks.  I can't believe the bugs are already out and the trees are starting to bud.  I have a feeling it's going to be a bug spray kind of year...happy spring ya'll!      

 

Thanks for this one J & j...at least gumby is happy spring has sprung.  poor penguins...

new toy!

Two days ago Cliff and I were talking about how we would like to have a piano in the house.  Our first question was real or electric...although there are sooooo many great things about electric pianos, we both thought a real piano was the way to go.  And then, where to put the thing.  The plan right now is to put it behind the couch when they come at the end of March.  (that's a story all on its own!)  

So yesterday I found this affordable little gem on craigslist and after Bernie left, Cliff went straight to Cedar Rapids to pick it up.  We bought it from a lady who inherited it from her mom after she went into a nursing home.  She was so nice, and I think it makes her happy that it will be loved by our little ones:)  

The kids were in bed by the time Daddy got home, and Uncle Kyle and Holly came to help load the beast into the house.  THANK YOU!  These muscles of mine would never have been able to carry that thing ever in my life.  When I was getting ready this morning, I heard the kids come upstairs and then a big "clunk."  (the cover:)  Then some curious fingers and giggles...followed by Silas in his crib who started saying really loudly "HUH?!  HUH?!  HUH?!"  It was so cute, and the first of many memories to come with our new piano!  

love at first sight

Bernie's owner brought him over today and this is how I found them after grabbing my camera.  I guess you could call it love at first sight.  Hahaha.

  

So funny that the tree hides everything...exactly how he gave her his seed is still a mystery to the kids and that's quite alright with me:)  Assuming all goes well, we'll be expecting puppies the beginning of May...I can't wait!

happy Friday

Jayda wants this as her "Facebook" picture.  I told her I would put it on our blog instead so here you go!  Taken by...Jayda:)

it's about time!

We did it!!!  Tonight was the first night that I put Silas to bed without nursing him.  Actually, it may have been one of the ONLY times in his life that Mommy put him to bed without his main source of comfort.  He cried for about 15 minutes, and then he actually went to sleep!  What a relief...I am sad, but I'm so thankful for all the snuggle time with my baby boy.  That boy sure knows how to make my heart melt!      

blogger's block

I knew it would happen sooner or later!  The last couple weeks are sort of a blur.  I have taken a nap almost every day, and I've spent lots of time on the couch or the floor.  Today I cleaned the mudroom and am dreaming up ways to create more storage for shoes, hats, gloves, etc.  Silas has been asking to play "ball" aka playdough continuously for the last two days, and the big kids have been playing with barbies, puzzles, and watching their favorite shows.  Belle is scheduled to meet her stud on Friday or Saturday.  I hope it's a successful meeting!  Ahhh the days of our lives:)  

tile DONE

Let me just say that I am so happy to have this project done!  It was one of those finishing details that we didn't really need to have done any time soon, but it's fun to see a glimpse of what our finished kitchen will be like.      

 The grouting was scary, but it turned out ok.  Mom- I will need your help with the rest, pleeease and thank you!  We ended up using a spatula to shove the grout into the small areas above the outlets and what else...my challah mixing bowl, a spatula, a wooden spoon, and a sponge.  Nothing but professional over here.  Ha!

Another project we started the other week was painting our bedroom.  Should have taken a "before" picture,  but the walls were previously white.  We decided on a slate blue-ish green-ish color.  Looks nice, but it ended up way more gray/blue than I was hoping.  Bummer.  The bottom picture shows the color I wish it looked like in real life, but the top is more accurate.  To re-paint before trim is finished or leave as is for a while.  ugh.  Oh paint, how I wish we got along better.

tile installed

Cliff and I started the island backsplash during the superbowl, and finished the other half last night.  It was our first tile project without the help of Mom and Dad.  Nothing has fallen off yet, so that's a good sign, right?  Hoping to grout tomorrow night and knock that one off the list.  Wooohooo!  Next up- tile around our whirlpool.  As soon as I can commit to a tile, of course. 

And a little random for your day.  Silas.  He loves balls, books, animals, and throwing anything and everything.  My floors are gaining character every day thanks to you baby!

oh man I'm tempted

*Cliff- If you are reading this you may want to "x" out.  :)

I am a known flip-flopper when it comes to decorating.  I have a really hard time making decisions, especially when it comes to paint colors.  Once I have my decision made, I almost always second guess myself.  Sad to say that my lovely fireplace is one of the things I've second guessed ever since we moved in.  Call me crazy, but it looks pink and out of place.  I even think it clashes with the carpet and wood.  So, today while strolling through Home Depot, I picked up three paint samples (they were being clearanced out for 50 cents each.  holy guacamole what a deal!)  When I got home I knew what I had to do.  Grabbed a few bricks out of the garage and did some "faux" brick painting.  They look like slate....and I like it a lot.  

What do you think?  Do I dare???  

cheese

Sometimes it's a dorito kind of day.  You should see these kids' faces when I pull out a bag of them, even if it's Clancy's:)  

and check out Silas' new "cheese" grin...so funny that he's learned to cock his head just like big sis.  

a serious post

Today was the first day that I thought seriously about weening my giant 19 month old baby boy.  It makes me so sad.  I love that he still needs me and that he is still my baby boy.  I must admit I am thankful...I always wanted to nurse the other two longer but never made it past 14.  

Yes, I nuggle him to sleep every night...once in the night...sometimes twice in the night...every morning...before every nap...and in his car seat during car rides where nothing else will keep him quiet.  (yikes!)  As an infant, the only thing that could soothe my somewhat fussy baby was to nurse him.  Often.  But lately it's been on my heart that maybe it's time to help him grow up a little more.  I've been praying about it, and maybe the fact that Jonah peed on the floor today because he needed me was a sign.  Silas was so close to sleeping, I couldn't dare take him off.  And I thought I was going to be brave enough to lay him down awake today.  Tonight was a small victory...we went through the normal routine, and I laid him down almost asleep.  I soaked in those 20 minutes like it was the last time I would ever hold him like that.  Funny because it probably won't be.  But that's how I like to leave it.           

let's not forget

...this is what your husband does when he has the camera.

 *note- this is from July, but while looking through my picture folder it was too good not to post:)