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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Nine Weeks!



Gabe is 9 wks old today ~ Hip Hip Hooray! Other than that, we've been playing Pizza Party before bed, going to preschool, playing outside, and getting ready for a Thirty-One party this week! Fun times!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Un-Swaddle



We are working to "un-swaddle" Mr. Gabe this week, as he is sleeping through the night and almost ready to go upstairs to his own room! I don't like to send our babies to their own rooms in swaddles, for fear of them rolling over and getting "stuck" face down. So, we have learned to take one arm out at a time, to get used to the feeling of freedom! Honestly, his arm being out hasn't effected him at all! Tonight, we'll take both arms out and hope for another good night! He is 8 weeks old now ~ I just can't believe it. 


On another note, I braved Wal-Mart with all three and as you can see, Carlie was excited. She was pretty fancy for our morning out! Addie is now my "walker" in stores and stays close to mommy when shopping. Carlie sits in the front of the cart and Gabe hangs in the back, in his carrier. Where to put groceries and products? Good question, but at least we're out!  
HAPPY WEEKEND!!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Weekend Review!

We had a great weekend....we are all well now. Spent lots of time together as a family, just soaking it all in. This little guy will be 8 weeks old this week. I can't believe it.


He can still sleep most places....




Love the cover? Me too! It's my new nursing cover from here. It's so pretty and light!


The weather was beautiful on Saturday, so we spent the morning at Lowe's. The girls were decked out in their pink, princess gloves, ready to plant flowers!




Before Lowes, we went to pick up our first Brown Box Veggies!! Oh my....oh joy......oh yeah!!! I was cookin' that morning! So far, we have had corn on the cob, homemade cole slaw, bar b que with the spring onions, oranges, pears, and strawberries. Just think, there is MORE to eat!
Want some? Click here.




After a fun playdate with a friend, I realized that my almost 4 year old was still eating off of baby plastic plates with plastic forks, and drinking out of sippy cups. My friend made the girls hot chocolate and put them into adorable white coffee mugs that were perfect for their age. So, Brad and I decided it was time to get the girls their own place settings for the table. We picked up these bowls, mugs, silverware, etc for them to have and are planning to go back to purchase them their own dishes!
 I love Bed, Bath, and Beyond ~ they have it all! The girls are excited to have their own, special dishes and I am proud of them for being such little ladies at the table!




That's it for now...off to finish out this crazy Monday (Carlie's paci is officially gone, so you can only imagine!)

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Doin' Life


Addie has been into picking out her outfits lately. Blue jeans apparantly have NO place in her life. She can't stand to wear them....dresses and skirts ONLY please, even if it's 50 degrees outside.

This past weekend, we were all sick. Here's the rundown:

Daddy ~ sore throat
Mommy ~ Mastitis
Carlie ~ tummy ache
Addie ~ ear infection, fever, swollen left eye (and now the right one!)
Gabe ~ PERFECTLY HEALTHY! 

So, needless to say, we were "in" most of the week just doin' life!





I've had lots of time to cook and after a wonderful spaghetti bake earlier in the week, I decided to lighten things up a little. So, I boiled these: 


...and added this:


...and spread it on these:


I do love homemade egg salad! 

Speaking of homemade, I have a friend working on my sewing machine in hopes I can put together some goodies for the kids this Spring! We'll see! 


Hope you're having a good week!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Our Artist



Carlie, our future artist....rarely seen without her silly bands on!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

First Bottle


There's nothing like that first bottle feeding, with daddy ~ you've got to love the My Breast Friend around his waist to help hold! Too funny! Sweet times...sweet times!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Press On


Ugggg....I have Mastitis. For all you sisters out there who have nursed and lived through Mastitis, you completely get it. For those who haven't, be glad you're not familiar with it. It's a pain....literally. I had it twice with Addie and now with this little guy. Fever, headache, and one heck of a sore boob! Sorry ~ TMI? Well, it's the truth! But, I press on. It's a dot on the timeline. In less than 24 hours, I'll probably be as good as new and won't even be thinking about the boob that feels like it got sucker punched. It will be on to something else. Let's face it....three kids ages 3 and under doesn't leave much time to sulk! Isn't he so sweet? He's almost asleep in this picture, trying to get there. Ahhhh, here's to feeling better! Happy weekend!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

This is the Day


"This is the day that the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Six Weeks Today!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Tomorrow


Our sweet little man will be 6 weeks old tomorrow! 

Saturday, February 4, 2012

The Wall


We've lived in this house for six years and as of tonight, we FINALLY have something on the wall! We think it's a pretty special wall now!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Lately...


Lately, Gabe has been smiling at us. Ummmm, were you aware of how much I completely LOVE newborns? The innocence and the love that comes from these tiny, little, miracles are enough to make me melt. Guess you already knew that, since I keep having them....


Incredible weather this week ~ the girls have had a blast outside riding bikes and scooters! I know, I know...Carlie doesn't really have the "I'm having a blast" smile in this pic, but she really was having fun! 


I have been very careful to keep Gabe away from all of the lovely, winter germs floating around, but we have had a few friends over to play here and there. Our friends have been amazing over the past five weeks. Just this week, we had dinner delivered, a gift, and a cake and cookie bars from three different people! 

Yes, our house is a mess. Yes, Addie is wearing a snow hat in 75 degree weather. Yes, Carlie and Addie are "dressed up" in a nightgown over her clothes. This is our "normal", thank you very much. 


Even though we have been spoiled rotten with food from friends, I have been hanging out in the kitchen a little myself! Wednesday night, we enjoyed a homemade chicken-bacon ranch pizza! Fabulous way to get those extra mommy pounds off....ahem.....


Gabriel turned 5 weeks old this week. I repeat, Gabe turned FIVE WEEKS OLD THIS WEEK! Wow.



Addie painted a picture of our family ~ I was pretty impressed! 


How many blog posts have I composed about Addie and Carlie dressing up? It doesn't matter what size, season, color, or style. If it's something new, they WILL have it on, in a flat two minutes. Today, I was sorting through their closets and storage bins, and it turned into a fashion show. Want to see? Well, you have to read the rest of the post before you get to the picture! Here we go:

Ahhhh, life:  Hectic, challenging. We are in the very eye of the  newborn/toddler tornado. We're tired and some days, just staying afloat. I mean, really....let's call it what it is and it's not always sweet and easy.  The house is not always clean, my hair is in a ponytail, and I feel extra sassy if I have on mascara. There are days when I don't feel equipped to do the task at hand. The whole, "Lord, are you sure I can handle three children, ages three and under? Me? Must be another Shelly and Brad, right?" starts up! 

BUT, quickly, I am reminded that our amazingly perfect Lord, equips us for every job He calls us to do. I go to Him 10, 20, 100 times a day. His grace overwhelms me. I see His grace in the sweetness and innocence of our children. I see it when that next dinner shows up at our door. I see it when my husband so willingly gets up with me to nurse the baby in the wee hours of the morning. I see it when Addie and Carlie choose to read a devotion before naptime out of their bible, that speaks directly to me. He is with us at every moment of the day and His grace is constant. He quiets my mind and heart, reminding me that He has me, right where He wants me. Even in what seems like small tasks (i.e. changing diapers, picking up toys, cleaning dishes..etc), I can do and should do everything to His glory. Changing that tenth diaper of the morning, is exactly what I should be doing! He is with me in everything I do. 

So, when I hear: 
"You've got your hands full" (I hear it all the time)..... I think to myself: "My heart and the love in our home are more full."

"Now that you have your boy, you're done, right?"...I think to myself, "I will obey whatever calling the Lord has in store for me. We will wait and see what His plans are for our future."

"Don't you need some 'ME time'?"....I think to myself, "This is a season and those days will come. For now, there is nowhere else I would rather be, than doing what I am doing, because I AM equipped by Him to do it."

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

"Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the clouds." 
(Psalm 36:5)

And, one of my personal favorites (I think about this one every time I play with Gabes precious little hairs on his head! "Why, even the hairs on your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." (Luke 12:7)

So, back to that cute pic of the girls. Here ya go! Our house is hectic, but it is also wonderfully fabulous! It's joyful, fun, exciting, and full! Indeed, I am exactly where I am supposed to be and I wouldn't trade a minute of it for anything...just look past my ponytail and stretch pants!