I Live with Couple of Monkeys

Pumpkin Photos

Can't you just hear him?

This was the best picture of the four of us. Too bad that Chris and Z were out of focus. Just not enough light.

My favorite of Z.

Ca makes this growl all the time. He's part-bear, you know.

I don't know what to blog about, I'm in between projects so I thought I'd better. Maybe it's time for a bullet.

• I got my hair cut yesterday. I really like it. It's a really short version of what I already had - longer in the front, stacked in the back. I did go back again today to have her thin out one spot that was too thick. I was nervous that she was going to think I was crazy, not understand what I was getting at, and just start chopping away, but she said she could see what I was talking about. She fixed it. Oh, no pictures. You just have to come see me.
• I have a piano lesson slot open if anyone is interested or knows someone who is interested. I'm not sure if I'll teach after the baby is born, so I'm not going to advertise or anything.
• Ca is saying lots of new words, "church, fan, outside," everyday he says something new.
• Z has learned how to swing himself.
• I've decided that if I find out this baby is a boy, I'm going to splurge on something I wouldn't normally. aka. suppress my emotional pain with materialism. I haven't decided what yet. A manicure, highlights, shopping spree, a week in Paris. Any ideas? Nothing practical. The more materialistic, the better. But I only get it if it's a boy. That way, if it is a boy, I can say, well, at least I get to do this.
• We went to the pumpkin patch on Saturday to take pictures with my parents. Not a single picture turned out ok of the 4 of us. There are a few cute ones of the boys individually, but that's it. Jenny's taking our pictures in a few weeks. I'm so sorry. I will try not to get my hopes up, Jenny. But after finishing that last album, I want good pictures, too.
• It's amazing how you can think of a million things to blog about during the day, but when you sit down to do it. Nothing.
• I'm feeling much better now-a-days. No more morning sickness. It's the happy trimester.
• Chris is home, now. Guess I'll stop wasting your time.

There Will Be Tears

Every year at Christmas, I have given my MIL an album of the year of her grandbabies. Every year, I expect tears of joy. Every year, she gives me the emotion of someone who just got a new toaster oven. It's so disappointing. This year, I'm expecting tears. Not from her - no, I gave up on that, she'll be lucky if she even gets one. (Actually, she really will. I've been too busy to work on my own stuff.) No, not her tears, but with this work I'm doing on albums, Christmas cards, and storyboards. Someone better cry. So if you order something from us or get a gift from someone from us, at least pretend to cry. If your allergies are bothering you and your eyes are watery, pretend they are tears of joy. It wouldn't bother me a bit if you decided to come to my house after receiving your Sprinkle product and give me a big hug. Just make sure you put eyedrops in your eyes first.

Question

How much do you pay your teen sitters for a few hours of babysitting?

Get a Haircut and Get a Real Job

I do need a haircut. Must call Erren.

For those who thought I might be starting a coffee shop, check out the link on my sidebar.

My Inner Turmoil

Today, I had my doctor's appt. Next time, it's the sonogram. I'm so dreading it. While most moms fear the worst as in a sick baby, I fear having another boy. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my boys. I just really want one on my team. This might very well be our last, and I've always dreamed of having a little girl. I may very well have some serious issues to work out if we find out that this one is growing a turtle. So here are some things that I keep reminding myself just in case:

If it's a boy:

• We won't have to buy any clothes. We really can't afford new clothes, so this is good.
• I love shopping and I need to be more disciplined about it. Having a boy and not needing new clothes, there will be less of a temptation.
• With 3 boys so close in age, we won't have any problems fighting on what fun things we want to do as a family. Everyone (but me) will agree.
• Teenage girls have major issues.
• I've got the boy haircut down.
• No new toys.
• Ca and Z will each at sometime get an opportunity to have their own room (assuming we always live in a 3 bedroom).
• Group baths for as long as I have to bathe them.
• God is a good God. He has a good plan. If having another boy is the best thing for me, my family, and this world, than having another boy is what's best.

Didn't work. I still want a girl.

Just Realized . . .

In 6 months, I'll be bathing, getting dressed, and ready for bed 3 kids under the age of 4 every night ALL BY MYSELF. I'll be getting a 2 and 3 year old in bed and asleep in the SAME room with a newborn to care for every night ALL BY MYSELF. We'll have to start our bedtime routine like at 5pm to get it done in time. Dh works evenings. I'm so screwed. No pun intended.

Camping

Z and dh are camping in the backyard tonight. Really roughing it. Got Z's mattress, laptop, cordless vacuum for bugs. Really roughing it.

Z's Party

Feel free to skip this post if you are not related to me.

Train track along the floor leading to back door:

Choo Choo Train Follow the Leader Game:

Little guys can play, too

We had time to wear in our swingset, too.

Everyone got their picture taken as a conductor:

With the pictures, we did a choo choo train craft (a train photo frame with picture and magnet):

This silly thing took all day to make. It was a labor of love, but Z really like it. He was so excited the first time he saw it:

It was pretty yummy, too:

Present time:

Well, I have to say, I thought it was a pretty great party. I had lots of fun, anyway. I know Z sure loves hanging out with his friends. Thank you all for coming.

Update Add-ons

• Ca had his 18mth appt this week. 22lbs - we're in the 11th percentile now. His height was average, but his head - 79th.


• Z had his 3 year appt. I was reading the list of stuff they should be able to do at 4 years - he can do most of it. The lady at children's church said that he's too mature for the 2-3 year old class. That he was the smartest one.


• I went to Hobby Lobby recently. I'm totally putting up my Christmas decorations early. November 1st. I'm always so sad when on Jan 1, we have to take it down so soon.


• Z's party was so fun. Pictures to come later. Thank you to all who came.


• I am so looking forward to getting back to my new job. This week, I've been working on Z's party and I didn't get to do anything fun, like work. It's amazing how much work a little party can be. I think I got slowed down by making the cake. It took me most of the day on Friday when I was planning on cleaning and cooking. Never could I make a business out of that.
• I am so sensitive to smokers, now. Do people who smoke not realize how bad they stink?? Really, if I knew I smelled that bad because of a bad habit, I think that in of itself would be motivation to quit. I have a double stroller that someone gave me. The lady was a smoker and I thought I had gotten the smell out, but it's back. I wonder if I'm just more sensitive and that it's always been lingering. I'm thinking about getting rid of it and getting a new one.
• If you smoke and you read this blog, you do not smell because as far as I know, none of my blog readers smoke. But you should quit anyway. You're killing yourself.

Zane's Party

Don't forget! This Saturday, from 10:30am - 1pm, Z's having his birthday party. My house, hobo lunch will be served. Come one, come all. See you then!!

Zane's Three

When Zane was conceived, it was such a miracle. We had been trying for so long. I was so happy just have the opportunity to be a mom for the very first time. Little did I know that 3 years later, I'd be pregnant with baby #3. Zane at 5 days:
My favorite three things about my little 3 year old:

1. You have smile that lights up the world. You're such a handsome boy, but when that smile creeps up on your face, it melts hearts.
2. You have such a layed back personallity. You can throw a fit, but for the most part, you'll go with the flow. You have a layed back sense of humor, too. You can really crack me up.
3. You are so loving. You'll come up to me a random and kiss me on the knee. I've even seen you kiss your brother out of the blue. So sweet.
   Happy Third Birthday!!!