A Sweet Surprise

A few days ago my friend Amy emailed to ask if I wanted to have lunch yesterday--you know, to recover from our recent move etc. Of course I said yes and yesterday she picked me up and drove me to a local town for lunch! It was a bit more complicated than that since that town was having a huge book festival and we had to park blocks away and drive in circles looking for a spot =) I was very surprised at how committed she was to eating there since we were having such a hard time just getting in to town! It was a beautiful day and we walked to the cutest restaurant ever

*The Painted Cottage*

(I tried to put pictures up of their insides but they're all techy and complicated and won't let me copy them =).

Upon arrival she looked inside the restaurant and just kept walking through it--I was thinking, let's eat! I'm hungry!

(that's the pregnant lady talking)

but she just kept searching and we came upon a lovely room in the back--painted with beautiful murals and all of the sudden I saw all of my friends (even my Amish friend from far away!)! Which was weird b/c I wasn't expecting it!

I was thinking, "Wow--they're celebrating the fact that I've lived through my move!"

It honestly didn't occur to me that anyone would celebrate my sweet baby Ezra with a beautiful luncheon until I realized the little *E's* on the table were in recognition of him!

I can't tell you how special and loved and happy and SURPRISED I felt seeing all of my beautiful friends gathered there to surprise me! I've NEVER had a surprise before and apparently--I am not good at them--because I was so surprised I didn't even really come to terms with the surprise until today =)

(I promise to refrain from using the word surprise again in this post =).

Thank you friends for a lovely afternoon and a delish lunch! And although I think you all are strange for ordering breakfast food in the middle of the afternoon, I'll allow it because I love you all so much =)

(Sorry, Shelly doesn't *do* breakfast =)

Thank you Brie for being the lovely lady behind the operation and setting me up for the best surprise ever--I'm so glad you're my friend--seriously, so glad!!

And now that I've finally finished putting Ezra's dresser together I'm going to put away his new clothes! Woot!

Shelly...

...LOVES this dresser her Parents-In-Law gifted for Ezra's impending arrival!!!

....HATES the cam-lock system used to piece it together

(and the 36 mini screws that hold the back on).

....CAN'T WAIT to fill it with baby boy clothes tomorrow!!

(as long as I've recovered from the ordeal of piecing it together by then =)

"Conversations" With Maeve

While passing time in a waiting room with Maeve I was inventing games. She enjoys counting so I got her started and it went a little something like this:

Mommy, "One...."

Maeve, "Two! Three! Four! Five! Six!

Siete! Ocho! Nueve!

Ten!"

Um...I'm thinking all the Dora we're watching has been a little counter-productive =)

Mr. Wonderful And The Night He Directs The National Anthem For The PHILLIES!!!!! (And a little bit of Amelie too =)

Tonight my husband gets the honor of having his high school choir perform the national anthem at the Phillies game!!! Not only are the Phillies the current World Champs, they just won their division again this year! Mr. Wonderful is a life-long fan and soooo excited to be going and hopefully meeting some of those famous Phillies!!

I'm so proud of you honey and happy for you!!

Amelie is going along with Granny and Pop, Uncle Ryan and Aunt Micayla (and cousin Ryleigh) to watch and help cheer! And believe me, she practiced cheering alllllll day!!

You guys look so cute in your Phillies gear!

p.s. I'm home with sicky Maeve =( But I'll be there in spirit =)

Maeve The Marvelous And The Great Birthday Debate

The fact that my sweet little Maeve is turning 2 in a few short weeks hasn't completely slipped our minds, but we haven't really been planning for it either.

I am a BIG plan-ahead, buy-ahead, prepare-ahead kinda girl and I just haven't even had the brain to "go there."

I've been trying to think of ideas of things she would enjoy for a birthday gift that her sister doesn't already have! I'm totally in love with the

Rose Petal Cottage (and the accessories, of course--cause who doesn't want to watch Maeve pretend to do laundry and take care of a baby doll ?!?=) but can't convince my husband that we need to spend that much =)

Do you have any 2 year old girl ideas?

I need to do some research =)

But seriously, I can't believe how very big my baby girl is getting! *tear*!

Shelly's Snippets

* I'm feeling much better about life now that we're closer to settled in our home--there are still many little projects (including the fact that my husband and I have been sleeping in the living room due to the fact that our stinkin' box spring didn't fit up the stairs!!!) but most of the big-need-to-do-it-right-now stuff is done.
* I'm going to announce that it's officially Fall-there's def. a chill in the air and I"ve made a few stops to my favorite coffee house. I kinda like it (although, I miss the ease of our summer schedule).
* The girls have adjusted PERFECTLY to our new house. I am blown away--I thought they would be stressed but they're very happy, sleeping well, etc.
* Amelie loves school--she's doing well and making lots of friends--I'm so happy for her! It's awesome!!!
* My husband is cute. Muah honey!
* The nursery still isn't done but I look forward to working on it in the coming days--I'm not thrilled with the paint color I picked but it will have to do for now as I'm officially SICK of painting!!
* 4 WEEKS LEFT!! Can't wait to meet you baby Ezra!!
Happy Wednesday!!

Home Is Sweet

This morning I woke up happy, content and almost fully moved in our new home.

I'm so glad to be here and that I'm still pregnant (but I'll likely only be glad about that for a few more weeks =).

Praise God we're in--I'm so thankful to be here.

Happy Monday!

Bad Blogger

Oh. My.

This week has been

interesting

difficult

exciting

frustrating

scary

exhausting

exhausting

exhausting.

My precious husband has been at the "new" house for hours and hours every night for days--his head hasn't hit the pillow before 1:30 am for the last WEEK! He is exhausted but doing such an amazing job refinishing our floors and getting our home ready!

I was able to paint a few rooms and somehow wore myself out to the point where I had a major asthma attack. I don't generally have problems with asthma as I've mostly outgrown it. It really has knocked me out. I went to my general doctor who way under-prescribed me and then to my OB who was ready to send me straight to the hospital. I convinced her that I needed to wait to go until my Mother got in from NY (she heard my cough once and packed her bags to head down!). My OB prescribed new, stronger meds. for me and they really did the trick which is wonderful b/c I"M FREAKING MOVING PEOPLE!!! Ahhhhhhh!

So I avoided the hospital but now my nebulizer is my best friend and constant companion. Eh.

By the way:

So. Many. Boxes.

I was super overwhelmed, discouraged, sick, overwhelmed, discouraged, overwhelmed...um, you get the picture...

Having my Mom here has really helped and even though I'm still having "moments" where everything feels all piled up we're hanging in there.

We've had lots of help and one dear lady from our church even stayed until 12:30 in the morning painting my kitchen walls--talk about a servant's heart!!

This has been such a humbling, dreadful, growing, learning experience. I'm so thankful to have a truly supportive family.

Ok. That's it. Time to relax and maybe pack one more box.

G'night!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY(S)!!!!!!

Happy Happy Birthday Madre and Padre!!

God bless you both in the year to come! So thankful that you both were born today!

Oh, and rest up--because I've got a longgggg list of house-related projects for you this weekend =)

Shelly Has:

*paint between her toes, on her cheek, on her legs and arms, on her skirt (yes, i paint in skirts--just cause it's who i am) and in her hair.
* hard.wood.floors. (and a porch full of 30 year old carpet to prove it)
* 1 fully painted room, 1 3/4 painted room and 1 1/4 painted room. mini-woot.
*a beautiful backyard courtesy of my father and hours and hours of back breaking-bamboo removing work!
* a clean (ugly) bathroom
* a super messy apartment
* boxes boxes everywhere and not a spot to pack
* husband withdrawal--we're on opposite schedules so that someone can always be with the girls!
* to go! Happy Sunday Night!

*Owned*

Better Late Than Never (Which Is, Most Likely, The New Theme Of My Life) Amelie's First Day Of Preschool!!!!

P.S. No child was coached during this photoshoot--Mommy repeatedly said, "Honey, can you try to stand normal?" and Amelie replied, "But I'm standing CUTE!" =)

Amelie Says, "Boys are weird because..."

"Mama, boys are weird because they have flat hair, garbage eyes and monster teeth."

Just thought I'd share that gem wit' ya =)

Shelly is...

* 34 weeks pregnant. Woot.
* looking forward to baby but not to labor.
* so happy that Amelie loves school.
* so annoyed that our settlement was delayed a day and hoping that it's only delayed ONE day.
* sad that Maeve is so sad that Amelie is at school. She tried to line up with big sister and then fell on the floor in hysterics when she realized she couldn't follow her to class! And now she's wandering around heartbroken and pitiful. Hopefully she adjusts before she has some other BIG adjustments to contend with. Eh.
* praying. Especially for my dear Aunt who may or may not be facing something scary health- wise, my sweet Sister In Law and Nephew-on-the-way as he has an unresolved kidney issue, and our moving situation as it adds stress to everything and everyone in my home.
* thankful that God is good all the time, even when He's confusing and even when we don't know what His plans are.
Happy Wednesday!

Amelie *The Adorable Apple Picker*

Busyyyy

Our schedule has been jam-packed lately!

We had very full days this weekend and have many more busy days to come!

Yesterday we had church in the morning, transported Amelie to a very fun dress up party and instead of a nap (boo!) I attended Amelie's pre-school open house!

The open house was like a "let your child get acquainted with their classroom day" but I felt badly having Amels fore-go a smashing party to attend a school function. =)

So the open house went well--it's a lovely little school and her classroom was picture-perfect! I was dreading going b/c I am soooo not the "mixer" type. It's difficult for me to not be quiet/shy/etc but the other Moms were very outgoing/friendly so it wasn't terrible. =)

So, Amelie starts today and she's very excited! I pray that she stays excited about school--especially since we have so much coming up!

Tomorrow we make settlement on our house!

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Mr. Wonderful will be GONE at camp with his high school students (BOO!!).

Saturday my parents are coming down and we're going to work on the house!

(Anyone wanna come refinish floors and paint with us? =)

Next week will be full of house-work, more boxes, moving etc.

We have lots to be excited about and I'm just praying that the Lord gives us all the strength we need to get the job done.

Especially the pregnant lady.

Cause I'm tired.

And pregnant.

And really starting to feel "it."

Happy Monday!

Corn Maze! (Part 2)

The corn maze was super fun-well, fun for everyone except the tired pregnant lady who hadn't anticipated quite so many adventures! =)

Amelie was our fearless leader!

Family Fun Day; Alternately Titled: The Cutest Cousins In The Land At The Farm! (Part 1)

What a fun morning we had!

Granny of the East treated our little family, as well as Aunt Micayla and Cousin Ryleigh to a day at the farm!!

The main event? Meeting Curious George!! Amelie was thrilled---Maeve, not. so. much. =)

A head shot of our precious little Wonderfuls!

Cute Cousin Number 1 (expressing her photogenic qualities)!


Cute Cousin Number 2 (expressing her Independence)!

(See--she smiled a little bit!)

Cousin Number 3: With the cutest pigtails and blue eyes ev-ah!

The girls spent time feeding the animals!

And were all taken care of by Granny!

And for good measure, a picture of my Mr. Wonderful.

I love him.

The W girls on the hayride!!

We also got to pick apples and pumpkins and tour the corn maze!

Then we spent time playing at the fun n' fabulous playground and ate a delicious lunch!

Woot! I'm worn out just remembering it--but it was a lovely and fun-filled day!

Thank you Granny (and Pop who we wished could have been there!!)!

More pictures tomorrow...cause I can't keep all of their cuteness to myself!

Shelly's Snippets

* All of the sudden it feels like Fall this week (and I like it!!). Open-window-low-humidity weather is my absolute fav!!
* I put Amelie in her 4t pants/l/s shirt for the park this morning only to discover that 4t is no longer her size (hello high-waters!! and mid-rif baring shirts!!) ACK! Guess we need to make a trip to Target to visit their $4 play-clothes section!!
* Maeve's favorite word is "no." ('nuf said)
* She's going to be 2 in a little over a month !!!
* She's going to be a BIG sister in a little over a month !!!!!!!
* Why does it take soooo long to bake french fries? (asked the hungry pregnant lady)
* Misses Mr. Wonderful when he's at work. He's my favorite.
* Preschool starts in 5 days!!
* Settlement is in 6 days!!
(I'm tired just thinking about it. )

Happy Wednesday!!

Amelie Says

"Hey Mother!"

(pronounced Mudder)

"I just learned something! Kids have FUR!!"

Displays legs and arms.

I tried explaining the difference between hair and fur, but apparently, hair is not as cool as fur so in case you're wondering--Amelie has fur--NOT hair on her body. =)