A to Z

Saw this on a blog and thought I would play along...


A. Age: 31. I still think I’m in my twenties though. It's weird. Hopefully my mind never catches up with my body and I stay young at heart until it's time to go.
B. Bed size: King! I want new bed linens though.
C. Chore that you hate: Putting laundry away. Duh.
D. Dogs: One. Samson. A lab mix. 12 years old.
E. Essential start to your day: Breakfast. I wake up and routinely prepare breakfast for everyone. Even if its a mini bagel or a bowl of cereal. We don't skip a meal.
F. Favorite color: Orange? I like a lot of colors and change with the seasons. And I like the peachy oranges right now.
G. Gold or Silver: Silver.
H. Height: 5′ 9″.
I. Instruments you play: Zip. Zero. Nada. Is that bad?
J. Job title: Momma. Wife.
K. Kids: Nolan, 4 years old. Nevaly, 3 years old. Nadelyn, 1 years old. Nash, in utero... due in 19 weeks.
L. Live: Indiana. And I love it. Farms excite me.
M. Mother’s name: Darla :) And she is darling.
N. Nicknames: Mart. Marty.
O. Overnight hospital stays: Only when I had the babes. Thank you, Jesus.
P. Pet peeves: Talking to someone and they act like they are listening, then something comes up later and your realize that WHOLE conversation you had earlier... was with yourself. Makes me want to commit murder. Seriously.
Q. Quote from a movie: Oh we quote movies all the time. It's the reason you watch them right? To apply them to real life... anyways, Dumb and Dumber are always classics for us. "So you're telling me there's a chance!!!" Used in context when there is obviously no chance of something happening... like a one in a million deal.
R. Right or left handed: Right-handed. Actually our whole little family is right handed.
S. Siblings: Five! The oldest is a year and a half older than me. The youngest is fourteen years younger. Big stretch.
T. Time it takes you to get ready: Probably about 45 minutes. I brush my teeth very last. And I do my makeup in the car! Every time.
U. Ultimate Vacation: Anywhere Beachy. Or Key West. It's our fail safe place with so many fond memories. I am not opposed to mini vacations though. And those tend to be very family friendly on the planes of indoor waterparks.
V. Vegetable you hate: Not a fan of radishes. Or Brussel sprouts.
W. What makes you run late: The kids. Are you kidding?
X. X-Rays you’ve had: None. No broken bones. Thank you, Jesus.
Y. Yummy food that you make: Recently it is everything. Just ask. I make nearly every meal at home these days. I do get few complaints. I made a chicken and rice recipe recently that was more like glue and chicken. I put the rice in the crock pot along with my homemade cream of chicken soup and by the time I got back from running errands... it was a mashed potato/glue consistency. And it didn't have a ton of flavor. Bomb.

Z. Zoo animal: At our zoo... probably the sea lions. Or the giraffes.


Anyways, that's a summary of me. From A to Z.

I've Come Down With SpRiNg Fever!!

These days of near 50 degrees are killing me!

It is just such a tease.

After a cold winter, spent indoors, I long for the days when we can be outside again.

Although it was still brisk...

this past weekend we were outside for a good two and a half hours.

{while Nadie took her nap}

 

My Sweet and Nolan cleaned out the chicken house.

Nev and I picked up lawn refuse and any trash that had been blown into our yard.

I moved the compost bin over to the garden.

My Sweet started a fire and got rid of the cardboard boxes we had in the basement.

Then, he took down the Christmas lights. Finally!

{although they are not lit, I HATE having the lights up past the second week in January}

I pulled the dead gladiola reeds, and swept the sidewalks in front.

And then rearranged the garage a bit.

And then all of a sudden, it hit me. Like a ton of bricks.

I was getting spring fever.

I felt hyper. Energized. Giddy.

 

I wanted to build the raised beds for the garden. Right then.

I wanted to construct the chicken run. Right then.

I wanted to arrange the patio furniture. Right then.

I wanted to clean out the mulch beds. Right then.

And get new plants. Right then.

Arrange them.

Plant them.

Water them.

I wanted to sow seeds. Right then.

And make garden markers out of old silverware. Right then.

I wanted to find a playset for out back and build it for the kids. Right then.

I wanted to plant more trees. Right then.

I wanted to take all the screens out of the windows and give them a good powerwash. Right then.

I wanted to fill my window planter boxes. Right then.

 

I wanted to trim the Boxwood's. Right then.

 

But instead, I came inside.

And ran my red, wind chapped, frosty fingers under some warm water.

 

It was too soon I decided.

Still too cold.

 

But I did manage to put my grandiose ideas for the new, improved garden onto a growers site.

{growveg.com}

Awesome site that tells you compatible plants, when to plant, when to harvest, how far apart to plant, ect.

I created my imaginary beds complete with rows of corn, beans, carrots, onions, pumpkins, tomato, asparagus, raspberries, rhubarb, blueberries, eggplant, watermelon, peas, cucumber, broccoli, and zucchini.

Ambitious?

Yes. Considering this is only year number three, with the first years garden being a bomb.

But my enthusiasm for homesteading should drive me to success.

That, and being organized.

 

 

 

Looks easy enough, right?

Anyways.

Our flock of ladies should be here the first week in May.

And we are so excited to be doing chickens again this year.

We are getting five Aracaunas, just for the green/blue eggs!

Then, ten Rhode Island Reds, because I just loved them so much last year.

 

No roosters this year. {Planned anyway.}

Being a novice chicken grower, I thought you had to have roosters and hens to make eggs...

learn as you go, that's how I roll.

So I am battling this spring fever, and probably will be for a couple more weeks.

But as soon as the weather turns, you can find us outside.

Getting busy.

And dirty.

With dirt. 

 

Can't wait.

To scratch this itch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Half Baked

That's right.

This baby, as of this past Saturday, is half baked.

Weeks: 20

Gender: BOY!

Aversions: None really.

Cravings: None really.

Complaints: Varicose Vein pain in my left calf.

Heartburn: Mild. Only at night when I lay down.

Feeling Baby Move: Yes! At night. And I think he had hiccups too!

Sleeping at night: Yes! When Nadie lets me.

Weight: 140 last week at my ultrasound. 

Gain: 10 pounds so far

Name: Nash Ryan!

And just in case anyone was interested, belly pics:

 

I think I am bigger than I was at this stage with any of the other three, but My Sweet disagrees.

In any case, I feel good.

Next check in, at the beginning of March.

 

 

For the love of...

Valentine's Day!

Here is to all the people in my life that mean so very much to me.

I appreciate each one of you for different reasons.

Nolan.

 I love you.

I love your smile.

Your big sweet brown eyes. And full dark lashes.

I love the five or six freckles that dot your nose.

And your huge stinky feet.

Your split teeth.

I love that you are my superhero. Everyday.

And that you like to wrestle. But always make us on the same team.

I love that you give me kisses before bed, with a tight hug around my neck.

I love to read with you. And help you brush your teeth.

Say your prayers.

I love that you love Jesus. And talk about Him like he is sitting in the same room.

Cook you dinner, and even fight with you about what we are having.

I love that you eat your no thank you bites of vegetables.

Your energy makes me wild with tiredness, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Late to bed, early to rise.

I love that you are smart.
That we play a daily game of Chutes and Ladders, or Hungry Hungry Hippos... and that you almost always win. No kidding. By default, the spinner just makes you climb the ladders while I get all the chutes.

I love that you love to doodle on paper with markers.

Your favorite color is blue.

I love that you like to teach Nevaly. And that you share everything with her. 

Even your special treats from school. Saving her a bite. Or giving her a piece if you have more than one.

I love that you change your girlfriend every other week at school. And that you call your guy friends your best boys. Just like you call your dad. 

I love that you love your baby sister. And that you gave Nadie the nickname Zooey or Joey. 

Squealing when you see her in the morning.

I love that your very best Friday night is staying home to do a movie theater and fall asleep on the couch.
And that you have a fond love of sunsets. Already.

I love that you love me. Unconditionally.

And, I hope that you always will.

Nevaly.

I love you.

You delight me.

Your angelic face.

Those eyes.

I love that you are this dainty little tea cup lady princess.

That you wake up in the morning and bump heavily down the stairs.

That you eat like a vegetarian bird most days. Flocking the kitchen for apples, strawberries, oranges, carrots, celery with peanut butter, or the occasional lunch meat slice.

I love your girly style. Twirly skirts. Frilly bows. Baubles. Painted nails.

And that you are a daddy's girl.

I love your enthusiasm when we make a cake, or cookies or pizza together.

Maybe you will be a baker one day, like we often talk about while driving in the car.

Ballerina. Doctor. Dentist. Princess. Fireman. Now a Baker. Of cakes. In recent days.  

I love that you have crazy hair.

All the time.

It's just who you are. Wild. Untamed. Beautiful.

I love that you love to read books.

Often sneaking out of bed at night to get a new one to rummage through the pages.

I love that you repeat the prayer at night.

And that you like to brush your teeth. Willingly.

I love to let you soak in the tub.

And pour water cup upon water cup until you are a prune.

I love to do fishy kisses with you.

And tickle your nose with mine.

Then do pillow hugs, where I lift you so high in the air with the pillow and let you flop back onto the bed at night. 

Your giggle could set a pack of hyenas on fire.

It is contagious. And adorable.

I love that you love me. Unconditionally.

And I hope that you always will.

Nadelyn.

I love you.

I love your big fluffy hair.

And your blue green eyes.

Your smile is the best split tooth smile anyone could ever wish to see.

It is adorable.

I love that you have to eat. A lot.

Because for me, it means you are growing. 

Even if it is in the middle of the night. Or before the sun gets up in the morning.

I love that you like to be tickled. 

And that you giggle randomly if you hear other people laughing.

I love that I have to come looking for you now.

Because for me, it means you are developing just as you should be.

Climbing the stairs on your own.

And sliding down on your belly like you are two years old already! 

I love that you will just lay on the floor sometimes.

In the kitchen.

In the bathroom.

In my room.

Just rolling around or putting your tiny little feet on my walls.

I love that you love bananas.

They make you smile when I ask if you want one.

And cookies. Or Cheddar Bunnies snack crackers.

I love that you say 'thank you'.

        

And that you will will drink from a straw, but refuse a sippy cup.
And that you like to lick the dishwasher utensils. Clean or dirty.

I love your language.

Your special words and meanings for your words. Even your whining when I don't understand.

I love that you think your daddy is the greatest thing. That you get excited when you see him.

I love that you love baths. But that you will take a shower when we have no time for a bath.

I love your skin. With it's speckled egg spots already appearing.

I love that you give kisses.

I love that you love me. Unconditionally.  

Even if it means right now, that I don't even get to pee without you in the same square footage as me.

And I hope, that you will always will.

{Love me. Not go pee with me. Just for clarification}


 

My Sweet. 

My One, True Valentine.

I love you.

Every day.

I love your sparkly blue green eyes.

Your dark hair.

Your broad shoulders.

And your biscuits.

{Just sayin}

I love your wit.

That you can come up with things off the cuff, of even your shirt at times.

And that you are funny.

I love your enthusiasm for our family.

That we are your priority. We feel it. We see it. We hear it.

I love your hard work.

Every little thing.

At work and at home.

I love that you compliment me.

All the time.

Even when you probably shouldn't. Like in the morning. Or when I don't shower for two days because my skin is so dry from the winter air, but my hair is so oily.

I love that you don't complain too much if the pile of clothes in our room is taking over and you are down to your last pair of clean unders for the week. And it's only Wednesday.

You still have the ability to tell me how good dinner was. Or that you think I am doing a great job with the kids. Or that you are happy I got to make some new hair bows for my little shop on Etsy.

I love that you have a special bond with each of the babies. 

And I am so happy to be giving you another boy.

I have everything I have ever wanted and more.

Because of you.

I love that you have a heart that is on fire for God.

Before anything else.

And that you are into doing whatever it takes to be the best you can be.

I love that you can grill anything. To perfection.
And that we sneak yummy snacks after the kids go to bed. 
  

I love that you love me. 

Unconditionally.

Passionately.

Willingly.

Thoughtfully.   

And, I hope, that you always will.

Happy Valentine's Day!

 To

My little family.

My big family.

And all my friends out there.

Love and kisses,

   

 

    

   

      

  

   

We are having another {?}

Earlier this afternoon, we found out that we are expecting another.

{We were not surprised.}

We know how this happens.

We actually even tried.

And the ultrasound just proved that my growing belly was not just from eating like a horse in recent months.

There was indeed a baby.

Although, just one.

In a lovely Breech position.

Everything looked perfect.

Adorable profile.

Tiny fingers and toes.

Three vessels in the cord. Four chambers in the heart.

A bladder, spine... and functioning brain.

Weighing in at 9oz approximately.

And measuring true to my due date.

So I guess the only thing left to see... was if we were adding another boy or girl to the brood.

And we did.

The results...

 

Another BOY.

We are elated. Over the moon in fact.

Every one of us! {Well, who knows what Nadie thinks about it.}

But, it feels good to finally tell Nolan he is in fact getting that brother.

Here's to the other half of this pregnancy.

Being just as easy as the first.

Cheers!

Sleeping Beauty?

I was certain that by ten months, my little sugar beet would have been sleeping through the night.
Just like her big sister did. And just like her big brother had also done.
Ten months came.
And then eleven.
Still. No consistent stretch of sleep for her... or me. Or My Sweet.
Twelve months in.
She might go from 1am to 6:30am five days out of a week. But we put her to bed at 8:30pm... so you can't really call it sleeping through the night when I go to bed at 11 or 11:30 most nights. And by that 1am hour she is wanting a warm milk bottle to put her back to sleep. So I am still getting up.
At least once.

When she first got sick two weeks ago, she was up a lot.
Understandable.

But last night, this little lady decided to whine and cry for a good hour before I finally gave in, and let her have milk. I was really trying not to let her have a bottle. But after My Sweet went upstairs and still couldn't go back to sleep because she was crying so loud, I gave in.

I figure we are close.
Just like we are close to having her toddle around the house. She is standing on her own, but refuses to walk unless you are within inches of her fall or grasp.
She will do it.
And apparently it will only be in her time.

So I will wait. As patiently as I can for that seven hour stretch when I am not up, stumbling across the living room to the kitchen to fetch a bottle of milk.Or find her pokey {pacifier} in the dark. Or press her "horsey" {glow-worm that is a seahorse} for the fifth time in fifteen minutes.

Hoping for at least a small break before July, when things will begin all over again.

Which by the way, the big ultrasound is this Friday.

I have tossed the thought of waiting to find out back and forth.
I have a deep desire this go round to just wait and see. But like I said in the very beginning, My Sweet has no intention of waiting. And that means, eventually {maybe even moments later} I will find out. Because he will slip up. Or someone he tells will. And then I will be mad. That I didn't just find out with him.
So.
It is settled.


Besides, Nolan and Nev have been asking recently when we are going to know what we are having. As Nolan pleads for a brother, and Nev begs for another sissy. And I have always prepared them for things like this. And potty training, before we have to leave somewhere, a vacation, Christmas morning... you know the big things.

So, expect something fun on the blog Friday afternoon.
I am not having a gender reveal party, but have something up my sleeve if we are presented with the opportunity to find out the sex this time around.
Something that will involve big brother and sis.