First Day of School

Both babies started back to school today.  I can't believe Charleigh is old enough to be in preschool!  They both went right in and there were no tears...from them or me!  It did help that I'm working an interim position at church, so I'm right around the corner!

My First Week

Allow me to introduce the cutest little girl ever...Charleigh!

She arrived on August 7th, weighing in at 7 pounds 2 ounces and 19 inches long.  She is such a wonderful baby.  We're even getting sleep!  The first 4 weeks she only wanted to sleep if someone was holding her, so my nights were spent in the recliner.  Hey, sleep is sleep...I'll take it where ever I can get it!  Now, she's sleep several hours on her own in the bassinet.  She wakes up around 1 and 5 to eat, and then back to sleep she goes.  She is a great eater.  We had a difficult time with Parker, so this is truly an answer to prayer.  Speaking of Parker...he loves his new sister.

He does, however, miss everyone's full attention.  His perfect behavior is no longer.  Some of this is just his age, I'm sure.  Compared to most 2 year olds, his behavior would be exemplary, but needing to repeat myself is something new for me.
Luckily, my parents have been great about helping us out.  They will take Parker, so he gets lots of one on one attention, watch both kids so I can take a shower, or just hang out so I'm not alone.  This was the first week I've been on my own each day since they're on vacation.  Guess what...I survived!  Tim is such a big helper.  He's always going above and beyond around here.  Friday, he cleaned the toilet...for no reason (other than it needed it!).  We were talking tonight before he went to bed about how much we love having our family of 4.  We really have worked together and know how blessed we are!

One More Week!

I can't believe that in a week we'll have a new baby!  That's right...in one week or less, we will be a family of 4.  I had my weekly visit at the doctor's office today, and the c-section is scheduled for Wednesday if things don't happen naturally before then.  We were talking tonight, and Tim thinks it's funny to have something like that listed on the calendar!
With the anticipation of new baby, I have been determined to have things much better prepared than when Parker boy arrived.  He was 2 weeks early, and he came over spring break.  For any teachers reading this, you know that you save everything that you need to get done for months to complete over spring break...well, that was all out the window!  I'm pretty sure we only lived in our bed room for a couple of months when he arrived because that was the only room with any place to sit!
This time, I'm forcing myself to nest!  I started a few weeks ago, and things are finally getting there!  The house, with very few exceptions, is ready for baby to arrive...and any other visitors who want to witness the cuteness which will come along with it!  Here is a peek at the living room.

Parker is getting ready to share his room.  We have changed his crib to a toddler bed (finally), and the new baby's bed is all set.  We have some friends at church who are moving and cleaning out, so they gave us a baby bed with a mattress!!!  For a new one-income family, this has been a huge blessing!  The closet is completely cleaned out, and as organized as much as it can be for now.  I know it will change drastically when we know if new baby needs pink or blue, but for now, it's as good as it can be!
I have stocked up on necessities that I won't feel like going to Target to pick up...paper plates, tooth paste, toilet paper,....  It's hard to think of me not wanting to go to Target, but taking 2 little ones with me may keep me at home a lot more!
I've been working on a few crafty projects...curtains for our bedroom, a wreath, and lots of super cute headbands (just incase we have a Charleigh!)

Of course, I've gotten things ready for the hospital as well.  My bag is packed, along with charged cameras, the boppy, and a few of those headbands I've made!  Also, I have gifts for Parker from baby and for baby from Parker.  Parker also has a Big Brother bag that will be awaiting him when he gets to visit at the hospital.  I have a little something special for Tim also, but I don't want to put it on here just incase he takes a look at the blog!

We had our maternity pictures made a few weeks ago, and we LOVE them!  Here's one of my favorites!

I can't fail to mention Tim's promotion at work.  He's been doing great since he's been at Yamaha.  I know that it's not the career that he wants, but he is working his hardest at what God has given him.  I'm so proud of him...not only for the hard work that he puts in, but for doing what it best for our family!  I'm a lucky girl!

Catch up...

It seems like I'm always playing catch up on here.  Between being a mommy, wife, teacher, growing a baby, and sleeping, I'm just not good at keeping up with the blog!  Hopefully that will change next year while I'm home.  That's right...I'm staying home next year.  We may be poor and eat grilled cheese 4 days a week, but it's going to be worth it!!!  Oh, and you didn't read that wrong...I'm growing a baby!  At the end of the summer we'll need to change the blog title to "Just the 4 of Us...".

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2013!
Don't you love the start of a new year?  A chance to set goals and have dreams of how to make this the best year yet...you know, goals like blogging more!
2012 was a wonderful year.  Fun times watching Parker grow, new friends at work, and honestly, every year I am with Tim it really does feel like the best one yet.  I have high hopes for 2013!
Here are a few of my fave pics from the past year...

UNO!

Parker's party was a success!  I think everyone had fun and the birthday boy was super cute!  He hadn't had a nap and it was hot outside, but he smiled, ate cake, and opened presents like a big boy!  The only problem was that there are no really good pics!  I'm still bitter about this...even though it's been 2 months!  Here are some of the good ones from the day...

Here are the cake push ups!  I was so proud of them.  Apparently they were pretty good because they were all eaten!

He didn't get too messy.  He has texture issues when it comes to touching his food...he gets that from his dad!

He loved his lawn mower!  He wouldn't slow down long enough for us to take the tags off.

Here's the after party.  I was really impressed with Tim and myself because we had it all cleaned up 2 hours after everyone left.  Then we went to bed...early!

We're so blessed to have this little man in our lives.  He is nothing but joy!

Pins I can Can Check Off the List

With my addiction to Pinterest in full speed due to the big b-day party for the little man, I've decided I should create a new board of pins that I can actually say I've done!

For Easter, I made this incredibly delicious...and easy...ice cream sandwich cake. I've made it twice now, and it keeps getting even better. Here's my version...

and here's my inspiration

Source: thyhandhathprovided.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

from here!

Speaking of the party...here's what came today in the mail.

The push up holders for the cake came as well, but they're not as cute for pics!