growing

My little bird spread his wings and flew today.   This Momma was so nervous and scared but that baby bird of hers was confident and ready to fly on his own.  I am so proud of him.  He had the courage to do something that I almost never have the courage to do.  At 33 I am still a wall flower and today at 4 my Bug is the new bird in the flock. 

 

 

Bug had his first day of school.  Well, bible school.  Okay, it wasn't really that exactly either it was more like daycare.  And "yes" those are his first official "It's my first day of school pictures."  My son is a total goof ball.

 

I had my second meeting with MOPS today and Bug has really been after me about going to school.  With me being a stay-at-home-mom and with us homeschooling our kids will never know a daycare or classroom.  Bug has also been asking a lot about God and Heaven and I have a no upbringing with Religion so I thought the opportunity for him to go to MOPPETS while I was at MOPS (which is all Christian based) would be perfect for him.  He was thrilled when I presented him with the idea of going to "bible school."  I choose those words because he wants to know about God and school so hey I'll mix the two because daycare doesn't sound that exciting. 

 

I was scared to let him go.  He seems shy when he is with small crowds or big crowds or just one on one with someone he doesn't really know.  I prepped him for as much as I could by telling him I wouldn't be with him.  He would be by himself.  These are the things we do and don't do like peeing outside during recess.  I never wanted him to know I was scared or encourage him to think he should be scared so I was always careful with my wording.  This was a big deal for him and he was super excited and I didn't want anything to spoil that for him. 

 

During the two hour meeting I had one eye glued to my phone and the other glued to the door.  I was waiting for that call or for someone to come and retrieve me because he was scared.  Not once did that happen.  When I picked him up he was so happy to see me but he was even more thrilled to tell me how much he liked school and how he wanted to come back.  SUCCESS!

 

There you have it.  The story of my baby birdies' first flight in the flock.

 

 



keeping busy

We've been keeping busy around here.  A few weeks ago, not long after we spilled the pregnancy beans, I had some issues of concern.  Dr. Hutchison, our fertility Doctor with Bug, told us that healthy babies don't miscarry.  I have always believed in that but my faith was tested.  Once I got through the initial fear of the "what-if's" I started a little chant in my head to reassure and calm me.  I had a few ultrasounds which later confirmed that all would be alright. 

During the middle of that scare the Daddy-O and I were in the middle of securing financing for our newest family enjoyment...

 

You see...the thought of fitting three babies in the back of Daddy-O's extra cab truck while pulling our 5th wheel wasn't going to work (for me).  We looked long and hard at what would make the best financial sense....buying a four door truck that would probably only move six times a year, excluding camping trips, --OR-- buying this RV for the same price but fit us all comfortable plus provide the extra comforts to friends during extended lake trips.  Clearly, the RV won.  We picked up this baby in north Phoenix on a Thursday.  We put it in the shop Friday morning for tires and then went to my parents place down south for the Easter weekend.  Told you we've been busy.

 

Squish finally scored his first major head injury to compete with Bug. 

 

This picture makes it look mild.  The poor kid was nicknamed baby rhino for a few days because the lump was so far off his head.  This didn't happen on my watch but thankfully I was close by.  Because I wasn't the one on duty when this happened I was able to be more calm then what I am usually able to be.  Fortunately we had been through this with Bug when he was 1.5 years old.  We took him to the hospital when 12 hours later he started throwing up.  Turned out it was the flu.  I had two concussions when I was kid so I felt confident between Bug's experience and my own that Squish would be fine.

I recently decided to join a MOPS (Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers) group over by my house.  I am feeling short on friends (excluding my Colorado BFF) and I feel more then ever I am yearning for the connection to like kind women in similar life experiences.  I had my first meeting last week and really enjoyed the energy. 

I think this is all I have for the moment.  I need to work on some home school material for Bug tonight.

Good night all

big news

To quote Kelle Hampton over at Enjoying the Small Things there will be a few more balls on our floor over the coming months and even more towards the end of this year.

You see, when you take one month to chart a course and set sail you'll get one of these....

Our family will go from four to five come October.

 

This sweet baby of mine sure has been giving me some grief or shall I say constant reminders that there is life in my tummy.  My body is screaming "hey, I am pregnant" but my mind was telling me it's a bit too good to be true.  Yesterday, when we were unable to hear the heartbeat with the midwife she fired up the ultrasound machine so we could see this little peanut of ours.  It was sweet, beautiful and oh-so reassuring to see this life, heartbeat and all, caring on in my safe little womb. 

 

We can't wait to meet you little one!

 

 

slacking

You know it's been a while since you lasted logged in when you can barely remember your password.  Oops.   I would like to make regular posts but I have three boys who won't let me have an intensive thought for more than 30 seconds and then when they see I am on the computer that time gets cut to 2 seconds. 

Here is an update....  Despite my protests when I found out that the 2nd babe growing in my belly was going to be a "he" and he was due so close to Bug's birthday I vowed to do everything I could, birthday's included, to keep who they where separate from each other.  Well, two years later I am planning a joint birthday party for them.  I caved because we really like to have all the extended family with us during these special moments so the cost to have two of these parties back-to-back and the time it takes to plan and prepare just didn't make sense to me this year. 

The theme is vintage train.  At this point it is my goal to avoid all the commercial themes.  Here is modified copy of the invitation.  I altered our personal information. 

 

For the boy's actual birthday's I am going to do something small to bring attention to two of the most special days in my life. 

 

Bug had a run in with the T.V. cabinet back in December.  Of course it was at night.  The thought of leaving Squish with a Grandparent for who knows how long and the risk of bringing home something worse from the E.R. we decided to avoid going there. 

 

With an ice pack Papa stopped the bleeding and later that night we put him to bed looking like this...

 

The next morning when nerves were calm we busted out a tube of super glue and put his head back together. The scar isn't pretty but with time I hope it will soften out.

 

For Squish the light has finally gone on for him and he is spitting out new words all the time.  He can even put a few together like...."Where Dada at?" and "Night-Night. No." 



 

He is still nursing and in fact he is more of a boobaholic then what Bug was.  At this point I'll continue as we are until I get pregnant and then I hope to wean him of the night nursing.  I honestly would like to give tandem nursing another try but I can't have two babies needing to nurse at night. 

 

 

I have started back up at the gym again.  It's taken some time to work in a schedule that will get me there at least three times a week but I think we are finally there.  I am trying to get my body back in Pre-Bug  shape for what I plan on being my third and final pregnancy.  I want to end my last pregnancy on a really high note.  I wasn't in shape when I became pregnant with Squish and I felt that.  To help turn things up a notch for me I have started drinking Dr. Oz's green drink and I hope to sign up for at least one 5k per month but I would like to do two.  Money will dictate that. 

 

 

The Daddy-O's work load has finally stabilized.  It's good for the boys and  I to have him around a bit more but it's also a bit bad because that means he is caught up and tapered off.  2013 will mark 10 years since Daddy-O became self-employed and kicked the time clock to the curb and 2012 was a very awesome year for this one man band.

 

The Daddy-O had an opportunity back in December to go hunting for deer in Texas to put more meat in our freezer.  Over a longer weekend he was able to come home with two axis deer and one whitetail.  Daddy-O wanted to experience and have the knowledge of processing these animals himself so over the course of two weeks our back porch was turned not only into a butcher shop but also into a little school house for the boys and myself.  Like any good homeschoolers/homesteaders we like to take as many opporunties as possible and turn them into teachable moments. 

 

So there are some updates on us.  Sorry for the shortage in photos I haven't downloaded my camera since early December.  I will try to do that and give more updates in the next few days.  Maybe I should make this blog a New Years resolution.

 

 

traveled

Hello One and All:

I have been trying for a few weeks now to sit down and tell you all about our trip through Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Washington all in two weeks.  Perhaps today will be the day that I actually start to fill you all in on the details!   

The journey started here:

 Monday, September 17^th

We packed up our rented class C RV and made a mad dash to Yellowstone Park.  The Daddy-O or I had never been there so we figured since we were already going that far north we should stop there first.  We arrived there on Wednesday.

While in route there we made a few stops…

Utah
To enjoy the changing of the season

 

Afton, Wyoming
To have some lunch

 

Jackson, Wyoming
To say “I’ve (finally) been to Jackson, Wyoming."

This three day drive was long and exhausting.  I had no idea it was going to be this exhausting either.  I just looked at the RV as a home with wheels…”what could be so exhausting?”  Every night as soon as the engine turned off I was passed out.  I think the poor Daddy-O was hoping to have some more available alone time with me but not once during this trip did we share a bed.

We arrived in Yellowstone Wednesday night.  Right across from our camp site someone had built this cool fort out of the fallen trees. 

 

Of course our two wasted no time discovering the in's and out's and adding their own piece to the fort puzzle.  

Yellowstone in all was a pretty cool place.  I am glad we made the decision to go there.  It was nice being in the RV because we could eat when we wanted to and we also could go potty as needed.  I think taking two small children in an car without the easy access of a potty would have been trying.  At the same time though I feel the RV might have been a tad limiting because of the size of it. 

For me personally the coolest spot in Yellowstone was Mammoth Hot Springs because of this....

 and this...

 Oh, and this guy...

 

The most amazing spot for me was what is called the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone....

 

 

 

 

My most memorable moment would be the "hike" Bug and I took around one of the sulphur hot springs.

 

 

The best photo taken...

The sun rising and reflecting off of Yellowstone Lake.

 

We only allowed ourselves one full day to travel through Yellowstone.  We know we missed a bunch but at this time in our lives I think we are happy with what we saw.

Phew...I finally have the first post done about or trip.  I hope I can post more soon before too much more time passes.  I am excited to share with you our time in Grangeville, Id.  Hopefully, one day that will be our new home.

right now::

right now::  I am watching and waiting for the steel cuts oats to be done so I can eat breakfast...recipe

right now::  I am wondering when I'll ever get the blog posts done about our trip to Idaho...

right now::  I am gathering recipes for the 38lbs of granny smith apples that will show up tomorrow...

right now::  I have one trick-or-treat bag done and two more to go...pattern here

right now::  I am missing this sweet little spot in Grangeville...

 

 

 

 

 

right now::  I am thankful that the night time weaning of Squish is getting better.

 

right now::  I am looking forward to getting rest at night again.  It's only been four years or so.

 

right now::  Breakfast is starting to come together so I should end this post so I can feed my hungry family.



finished

I have a few blog posts in the queue but I wanted to jump ahead in the order and share with you what I did today. 

Today my sisters and my brother-in-law, C.A.M.P.'D., competed in a 3 mile mud run put on by the folks of Terrain Mud Run.  This was the first for a few things...My first run in years, my first mud run (and not my last), my first run with ALL my sisters, and my first run that ALL of my family attended.

C.A.M.P.'D

L to R:  Me, Chrissy, Dan (the BiL), Michelle, Patti

 

Of course that is the BEFORE photo.

 

Before we had jump over four hurdles, before the barb wired water pit we had to climb through, before the tires we had to run through, before the net we had to climb over, before the giant wooden spools we had to jump over, before the four giant walls we had to climb up and over, before the one really big giant wall we had to climb over, the blue barrels to walk over, the numerous mud pits we had to climb/swim/ walk through before the monkey bars I failed at, before the giant roll off dumpster that was filled to the TOP with water that you swim through to slide down to the finish.  I am sure I forgot an obstacle or two but you get the point. 

 

It was a lot of fun and a great challenge.  Dan ran ahead, Patti and I completed in just under an hour and Chrissy and Michelle brought up the rear.

 

Waiting for the starting pistol to be fired...

 

Patti and I about half way through the course...

 

 BiL killing the monkey bars...

 

Patti and I admitting defeat at the monkey bars...

 

Patti and I ready to swim through the roll off dumpster...

 

 Down goes Patti and I am next in line...

 

There I go....

 

Receivng my finishing award...

 

Here comes Chrissy and Michelle... 

 

Somehow I missed getting the "end" shot of us five but we basically all looked like drowned cats.  Clean drowned cats at that.  This was by far the funniest run I have ever done and I look forward to doing the next one.

 

I want to give a HUGE thanks to my Hubby and the kids for coming out to support me and I would also like to thank my mom and pops for coming out and supporting us as well.  THANK YOU GUYS!  I LOVE YOU ALL!