Garage Picnic

The Set-up

The Posers

The Baby

Yesterday, after preschool, we had big plans for enjoying the lovely weather. After we ate our "picnic lunch," Olivia napped in her stroller, the big kids rode their bikes/big wheels and did side-walk chalk, and I worked on cleaning and clearing out the garage. Later in the evening, I prepared the chicken and vegetables for chopped chicken salad and when Joseph got home from work he and the kids headed outside again to BBQ and play in the yard. As we ate dinner, I noticed that Bentley's cheeks and nose were a little rosy from playing in the sunshine--my sweet little fair-skinned boy--next time I will remember the sunblock!

We are so eager for green grass to return but the sunshine and pleasant air will do for now. At least all of the snow has finally melted away from the shady corners of our yard :)

Saturday

First spring day at the park: Joseph took Beans and Cares and cousin Maddie while Cec and I went to a wedding shower for our cousin and his finacee.

And Olivia had a bath in the late evening--that was her big event of the day but I know in her heart she wished she could have been trying out the big twisty slides with her brother and sister. All in due time little girl :)

She looks deliciously sweet during her baths--and always makes the best faces...

Sleep and Shows

After preschool yesterday I dropped the big kids off at my mom's house for a sleepover and for playtime at both her house and then over to Nanny's house today. They should be back home by dinner time tonight which I am getting excited for--I miss their crazy, loud, busy, silly, happy and cuddly little bodies buzzing around the house. But believe me, I made the most of their time with their grandmas--meaning I have slept and slept and slept!

Yesterday, when I got home from taking the kids, I left Olivia slumbering away in her carseat and I went straight to the couch and took a 70 minute nap. This morning, after feeding the tiny maid at 5:15 and then 7:45, we both slept in until 10:30. Heavenly, I tell you, simply heavenly. And now, I just woke up from a 2 hour nap with the babe swaddled up laying right beside me in bed. Who knew I could pack in so much sleep? It has been fabulous (and I will be forever grateful for these days of rest--thank you Bobbi and Ruth Ann!)

On to an unrelated topic, I have watched way too many shows both on TV and from Hollywood Video since Olivia arrived. This is how I entertain myself while feeding the baby and most importantly, how I keep from falling asleep while feeding her between the hours of 10:00 pm and 8:00 am (plus the TV adds the perfect amount of light for seeing what I am doing without waking the baby up too much--my big sis taught me that invaluable trick many years ago...) Anyway, I am obsessed with HGTV and TLC. I dreamt last night that Joseph and I were out on a double date and we ran into my parents so I introduced them to the people with us and said "these are our great friends Jon and Kate." You TLC watching peeps will know what I am talking about :)

And these are the movies we have rented or watched on TV in the last 3 weeks:

1) The Secret Life of Bees
2) Nights in Rodanthe
3) High School Musical 3
4) Australia
5) Nacho Libre

Can you guess which one Joseph chose? Ha--the poor guy tries to hang out with me in the evenings and watch all my awesome movies and shows but at 10:00 pm he is usually fast asleep on the couch beside me. And I promise he was at Sunday dinner at his mom's house with the kids when I watched HSM3--I wouldn't put him through that (but I secretly loved it :)

Due Date

Oh how grateful (and lucky) I feel to see this day come and go and know that my baby girl has already been here in the world, safe and cuddled in my arms for 3 weeks. I am finally feeling like my body is mostly healed and our schedules are getting back to normal--and that I am really, really tired from middle of the night feedings. Last night I asked Joseph when we would feel like we were getting enough sleep again and we decided that we shouldn't plan on it for about a year (and pray that it will be sooner :) How is it than whenever Olivia has a good night with a long sleep stretch, one of the older kids just happens to interrupt our slumbers by falling out of bed, waking-up from a bad dream, needing to go pee, or suddenly needing more water in the middle of the night? (believe me, all of these things have actually happened in the last 10 days or so...)

Best thing about not being pregnant:
I can hold my laptop comfortably on my lap again (meaning the belly isn't usurping all the space anymore) How I do love my MacBook--even if it is a hand-me-down from my hubby...

Worst thing about not being pregnant anymore:
My feet get really cold (something that never happens when I am pregnant and always over heated! oh--and I hardly ever wear socks unless I am heading out of the house so I am constantly barefooted...may be part of the problem...)

Kindergarten Looms

My little Bentley is not so little anymore. He will be in Kindergarten this coming fall--I'll have a child in elementary school! I am so excited for him--I know he will love it.

So, here lies the dilemma: Bentley was chosen through a lottery to attend the new charter school right near our house. I didn't really think his name would get chosen so we have just been planning on going to the local elementary school. And then, on Friday, I was informed that he got in. Now I am wondering which place will be best for him.

Charter school pros:
1) Not on a year round schedule
2) Limited class size
3) Specialized curriculum
4) Great reputation

Charter school cons:
1) Bentley's neighborhood/church friends aren't attending (as far as I know anyway...)
2) Dress code (isn't that silly that I even care? But I do think dressing my kids is fun)

Both schools are wanting registration materials turned in within the next week. Part of me wants to just register at both and then decide later--so I don't really have to deal with it just yet :) I'd appreciate any input you lovely readers have--for or against the whole charter school idea. Click here for a short little article about the school and here for the school's webpage, if you feel so inclined.

2 Weeks Old

Olivia saw her doctor for the first time today and he informed me that she is indeed "just perfect" (just like I thought :) My tiny girl has actually grown a lot in 2 weeks--she is now just over 21 inches long (2 inches added in 2 weeks!) and weighs 8 lbs and 1 oz. So, she is still a little featherweight but she nurses like a champ so I'll see if I can fatten her up in the coming weeks.

I took all 3 kids to the appointment today and Bentley and Caroline were quite fascinated with the whole process of checking Olivia. Our fabulous pediatrician let both of them check her eyes after he had and then listen to her heart with his stethoscope (he is the father of 4--almost 5--and so amazing with kids. Yay for good doctors!)

And that was what we did today. When we got home I fed all 3 kiddos and then laid all of us down for some much needed napping. It felt so so good to catch 30 minutes of sleep.

Diaper Bags

It's that time again--time for a more mom friendly bag. I really want to just keep using a purse but I forgot how much gear I need to tote around for a newborn (it has been a while since I had one :) So, I am in the market for a new diaper bag. And I like these 2:















What do you think? Any other suggestions--do you know of a bag that I just really have to have?