Slowly becoming a "HERMIT" and LOVING it!

This year Todd and I have made it a goal to cut our expenses and learn to really save money. For me, this means locking myself away at home so that I have nothing to be tempted by and see no need for any expenditures. This really works! That's if you can tolerate the rarely leaving home part. There are many days I never even get in the car! Those are good days really because it means I got off my lazy butt and actually walked/ran/rode Ethan to and from school. Really, it's only 1/2 mile from home! There is no excuse! I'm truly surprised at how easily I am handling it all. I always thought I'd be a bit more stir crazy - or maybe I just believed I was like most other people...this really isn't for everyone - but it turns out that having 3 kids has turned me into a kind of home-body. I actually enjoy it! There is a simple peace just being here with my kids in a quiet regular routine. It's when I break this routine that things get a little chaotic. Maybe it's nice right now since the baby likes to nap during all times of the day that I would normally be running around...maybe I'm just boring?? I suppose there really are days that I miss all the playgroups and activities before Andrew came along...but you know, I'm no worse off now. Thank goodness for some great neighbors that my kids beg to see everyday! I'm sure this is all short lived and I'll be back playing chauffeur and activities coordinator soon enough. On the days I struggle through it all, I remind myself of this truth. Your kids are only small once. How great it has been to spend so much quality time with them! I will say however, it is strange that for all the time I spend at home...I really don't get any more done than I used to, though, I will admit, I am a better "mommy" most days and that really does bring us joy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Flowers from Daddy to his girls (thanks Toddly! We love you).
Yes, her hair really does look like this after a nap!

Upside Down

Why do you think babies love to hang upside down?? I think it must have something to do with all of the time they spent in utero stuck upside down!

Ava's New Bike!

Yes, Todd got a new bike...or is that Ava's???

She loves to ride her new princess bike up and down the street and can actually do it. We learned the hard way not to buy a bike too big for your kid in the hopes that they will grow into it instead of out of it. It's made it harder for Ethan to get into riding his bike though, over a year later...he is actually doing a pretty good job of riding without training wheels! Good job Ethan! (I really need to take a picture of this:)

Andrew is 7 months old!

Yes, he is now over half a year old and it's going so FAST! I already don't see him as a baby and the thought saddens me but I love to watch him grow and learn and become more and more able every day. At the ripe old age of 7 months, he is able to crawl quite proficiently, pull himself to standing on anything, stand (albeit, VERY briefly) without supporting himself, feed himself (ok - not well but he won't allow me to do it anymore), and has fallen into a wonderful sleeping schedule! This is bliss for me! He loves to swing and be outside, loves music...when I'm not listening to all the political banter, and really enjoys playing with his brother and sister. We love Andrew! He is such a joy in our life.

Andrew into Everything!

Now that Andrew can crawl - and very well I might add - I regularly find him in the worst of places. I mean, I think my house is rather childproof - I do have 2 other kids - but then I suppose it's not. I regularly drag him away from the potted tree in the corner; once as he was covered (hands, mouth, and hair) in dirt, other times it was just the carpet that needed the cleaning. I have found him digging through the cat food - I can only thank my lucky stars it wasn't the cat box but I'm sure that's next! Today, it was the toilet - stopped just before he plunged his hands in. This, by the way, really grosses me out! I don't care how clean I keep them. I suppose I'm really just not ready to accept the fact that my baby is growing up fast and if I want to keep him around a bit longer, I'm going to have to be a bit more diligent about what is in his path and where his path is leading him!!

(note from the editor: I guess this never got published...just found it in draft form so just for posterity's sake, I'm posting it now. Not that anyone really cares...but this is my journal for the time being!)

Things I've been feeling lately...

- lazy! I'm not happy about it, but with the kids (and myself) being sick off and on, I've just become lazy. It's a miserable predicament as I can't seem to find where to begin to get things done. I will have a great day...followed by 3 slow and uninspiring days. Why can't I just be a morning person? I know that if I got moving before everyone else, I'd at least have accomplished taking a shower. Now that would be something to feel good about!

- old! Ok, not that old but things are changing. You know how after having babies you lose a large percentage of your hair all at once? Well, it's growing back but there are far more gray hairs in the mix than I would like to admit. 2007 was the year I found my first gray hair. I can't complain too much...I was 33 (not 23) but it's a visual reminder that I don't have unlimited time and there is still so much more to do.

- politically disappointed! I won't turn this into a political entry...I would go on for far too long but I am concerned and a bit anxious as to what will become of this country - or maybe better phrased - what this country is becoming! Suffice it to say, there will be much to think about before November and I don't feel like there is anyone I would like to see in the White House. No offense to the blue party, but I'm not sure we could recover should you win the prize this time around and I fear that is exactly what is going to happen.

- utterly uninspired! Well, as far as writing goes. I've been racking my brain to come up with something to write about, some interesting anecdote in our lives to share, and it hasn't come (not that anything I have written previously was interesting...but you know what I mean). I realize this has more to do with me, than with the life I lead and those that surround me. I'm not seeing the beauty and the magnificence. Am I asleep? WAKE UP!

hmmm....this post is a bit negative and depressing! Anyone up for a long walk or maybe a bit of yoga? I think I need it pretty bad! Ok - I'm done now. This short bleak period has officially ended!