37 week update

Well, I went to the doctor today and am "almost" to 2 cm. Exactly where I was last week. I didn't really expect any change, but I'm starting to wonder if maybe this baby won't come soon. I'm OK with that...except that having my parents here to watch the kids would give me so much peace of mind.
This past weekend I nested like crazy. Dan and I worked from the time we woke up until I finally crashed at 10:30 pm. We cleaned out and organized the entire laundry room. That was a really big job because there were about 50 bins to go through, label and sort. I packed my hospital bag and the baby's hospital bag and wrapped almost all the Christmas presents. I had 2 left to wrap when I hit the end of my energy spurt and just went to bed. They're still not wrapped :) oh well. I can do it tomorrow.
Today I finished the kids stockings and almost finished the new mei tai. Hopefully I can get that done tomorrow.
I can't believe it's Christmas Eve tomorrow.

winter activities

Wintertime means that we can't be outside nearly as much! I have a really hard time motivating myself to go out to shop or do activities in the cold. So in the winter we start doing more inside activities. The evenings could get really, really crazy with all the kids running around so there are a couple of things we do to keep some peace in the house and keep everyone busy.

Blanket time. Everyone has a large blanket folded up on the couch. When they are told, they put out their blankets and pick a bin of toys. They play quietly and independently on the blanket for around 30 minutes. Thea's blanket time is more like 20 minutes and Q doesn't have a blanket...normally he's reading or doing homework during this time. In this picture he wanted to play so he got something out. It took a little work to teach Thea to stay on the blanket, but it's really been worth it. They enjoy blanket time because they get to play with whatever they want without fear of someone coming and breaking it or stealing pieces!

Puzzle time. Self explanatory :) Ashton and Landon are doing the 4 puzzles in a box from Melissa and Doug. They are wooden and sturdy and I really like them. They're not that hard, but they take a little bit to put together because there are 4 of them. They're each getting a new one for Christmas, too.

Pre Christmas Program pictures

First carrier

I finished the Mei Tai. It's really comfy on (even at 9 mo. pregnant), but I don't know how I feel about the look. I'm in the process of making one that looks a little different. My husband, who is very secure in his manhood, agreed to wear it for this picture. He doesn't mind baby wearing...but the pink flowers are a little too feminine.

The inside is minky and super soft. It was a pain to sew though...only because I wasn't smart and used canvas. It's much too stiff and thick to sew easily. However, it makes a very sturdy Mei tai.

Another funny

Ashton: I'm need to go to work!
Me: Oh, really? Where do you work??
Ashton: I rescue people. I'm one of those Navy Seals.
Landon: I need to go to work!
Me: Where do you work?
Landon: I'm a Navy Crocodile...yeah...one of those Navy Crocodiles

Christmas Program

Q had his school's Christmas program tonight. They all did so well. No one forgot their lines and Q had memorized all the songs very well. He would get shy if he saw us smiling at him and would put his head down. I guess he's getting older because as they walked out he didn't smile and wave like he did when he was younger...he actually ignored us!! Apparently we're embarrassing :) I'll post pics soon.

Funny stories

Today Ashton says, "Mama. Do you know of any job that goes all day long and all night long...all the time?"
I kind of laugh and say, "Yes! Being a mama!"
Ashton replies, "A mama?? That's not work!!"


When we were at my parents' house over Thanksgiving I got nasty food poisoning in the middle of the night on Thanksgiving. So it's about 5:30 AM on Black Friday and I'm coming back to bed after barfing (again) and my husband asks me, "So how was Best Buy?"
I honestly could have slugged him...but I was too tired.

Coming home outfit and "gymboree had a sale"

This is Maria's coming home outfit. After a lot of searching I found it at Walmart of all places.

Gymboree had a great sale this weekend. I had a 20% off coupon and they added an additional 25% off everything...so I found this little mouse outfit (that was on clearance) and had to have it :)

More sewing...

are you getting sick of seeing my sewing yet? :)

Top pic is Thea's stocking
Next are the burp cloths opened up and then all of them folded up
Bottom pic was a gift set I made for a friend....burp cloths, reversible bib and travel wipes case holder.

36 weeks!

I am officially in my final month of pregnancy! It is really hard to believe and I have no idea where the time went. I got very lucky at the consignment shop and was able to find a beautiful bassinet and pottery barn boppy for great prices. Dan found a really nice changing table at the Goodwill and surprised me with it. I had her changing pad set up on my dresser, but now she'll have her own little place. The extra shelves underneath also help with storage. All the baby clothes are washed and waiting in the drawers and the changing table is stocked with teeny tiny diapers. Today I'm going to print off a packing checklist for the hospital and start getting packed. I think I'll wait until after the baby comes to have dan set up the swing and bouncer. Less chance the boys or thea will break it before Maria has a chance to use it!

Yesterday I had a huge burst of energy (nesting I guess) and was able to almost finish the mei tai carrier I am making and wash and put away 4 loads of laundry!
I have started doing laundry differently. Before I would do 2 loads monday, tuesday and wed. Now I just do all the laundry every Sunday afternoon. Right after I put the kids down to nap I throw the first load in. By bedtime it's done. I fold the clothes right out of the dryer and put them into small baskets for each person. I do a special load of darks that need to be hung to dry so that I don't accidentally dry an item I don't want to. Every week I do about 4 loads. 3 darks, 1 light. On Wednesdays I wash our towels and sheets. It's so nice not to have to worry about laundry during the week!! Dan and I were just discussing yesterday how we could probably get the house mostly clean in about an hour on a weekend morning if we all work together. Q cleans bathrooms, Dan vacuums, Ashton dusts and empties bathroom trashcans and I deep clean the kitchen. Landon is happy to pick up toys and Thea runs after the vacuum screaming :) Having a clean house and laundry for the coming week would be such a blessing!

I am off to work on the mei tai. If it turns out I will post pics. I also took some pictures of the cute burp cloths I just finished and the adorable outfit I got for Maria at the gymboree :)