A Letter For Ezra; Alternately Titled: (In The Approximate, Appended Words of The Great Mariah Carey); Get Outta My Ribs Boy

To My Dear And Darling Ezra-Boy,

Please. Get. Out.

Mommy loves you very much and has *enjoyed* the time we've spent together.

((Well, not all the time we've spent together...but a lot of it.))

I can forgive you for the 6 months of intense nausea and inability to eat, for the late night bathroom breaks, indescribably horrendous heartburn, the mood swings, the low back pain, the even-poorer-than-usual-balance and coordination, the limited wardrobe options, the stretch mark and swollen feet, etc and so on....

And I appreciate the fact that I've only gained 15 pounds with you,

but sweetie,

you're starting to cross the line.

Mommy is starting to resemble the Penguin from that Batman movie and it's not pretty. (Here is a picture for reference since by the time you're old enough to read this that movie will be 20 years old.)

Mommy doesn't like looking like the Penguin darling--so please, if at all possible, make your way into the world and be extremely cute so we can erase these painful memories.

Oh, and by the way, thank you for whatever you're doing for my skin and my hair--

they. look. fantastic.

((Not that anyone actually looks at my face anymore since you've so greatly misshapen my mid-section, but thanks for trying anyways.))

All my love and arms waiting to hold you,

Mama

Maeve's Birthday Part 1 (Birthday Girl, Birthday Presents, Birthday OVERLOAD!!)

Turning 2 is hard to do! And yes, this is the *best* family picture we got =)

Playing with sister and cousin Ryleigh!

Hiding from Uncle Jon!

Uncle Ryan, Aunt Micayla and Ryleigh-girl!

Granny and Pop of the East!

Granny and Pop of the North!

Why Shelly Never (And Will Never) Complain About Doing Laundry

**My father was here this weekend and finished installing our FIRST *working* washer and dryer that my husband and I have *owned* since we've been married (ahem...8.5 years...)**

So. Happy. To. Do. Laundry.

Thanks Dad!!!!

(He also installed hand rail on the stairs, fixed my cabinet and did many misc. jobs--I'm so thankful for ALL of his hard work!!!)

Reasons to Believe There Must Be A Full Moon Or Something:

A. I wore sweatpants in public
B. Two days in a row
C. The same pair
D. Eh
E. Saw someone using the restroom at the library with the door open
F. They looked/were dressed *normal*
G. They didn't care when I walked by and didn't attempt to shut the door
H. Nine Million Scary Drivers Everywhere
I. I had more reasons but the baby brain has robbed my ability to remember them at the moment =)

The Girl Who Is Almost Two And Her Sister

Amelie, Maeve, Ezra A.K.A. Oooo Now I Can Window(s) Shop For Boy(s) Too!!

Seriously Gap, stop breaking my heart!

Hi-lar-i-ous

Seriously--this is disturbing.

I *love* cake wrecks!!

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

*The* most amazing costumes ever! Check this giveaway out!!

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

I Take It All Back

So I take it all back...I'm returning the present I bought for Maeve and gifting the child this gently used mega-rose-petal cottage set.

I heart Craigslist!

Off to pick it up tonight and store it who-knows-where (or maybe she'll just have to celebrate her two-ness early!) =)

Because They Don't Just Make Fun of Republicans

SNL usually goes all out in making fun of the right-wingers of the world--and though I've enjoyed their humor in the past--I enjoy this one a little more =)

Zebra Grrls

It's all getting a little more *real*

It is so nice to be settled into our house!

I was a major head case when we were moving in and didn't take ANY stinkin' *before* pictures--I WISH I had! It was horrible and now it's so pretty!

(What a difference the removal of 4 inches of carpet--we're talkin' 60s orange/brown/green shag--ew--layers of dust, the 4 layers of window treatments on EACH window (shades, blinds, 2 sets of curtains and valances...on each one!! and lots and lots of painting of wood paneling!)

What a difference a lot of hard work makes!

If we finish painting the hallway and putting in the bathroom floor all of the major *right now* projects

will. be. done.

hallelujah!!

Ezra's crib is together! His clothes are in his closet and dresser! Pictures are flying up on the walls! It's a good thing!

I haven't had time to think about being pregnant and expecting our arrival b/c I had so much I wanted and needed to get done! I'm really looking forward to putting my feet up and "enjoying" (as much as it is possible) the last few weeks (3!!!!) of pregnancy!

I've definitely started to hit the *wall* pregnancy wise and am exhausted most of the time. I feel alright otherwise and have been having good baby/mommy check ups--Praise the Lord!

Please pray for my sweet SIL and Brother whose baby is having kidney problems in-utero. My nephew is due the same week as Ezra! Please pray for healing and that the Doctors have wisdom as to the best treatment for little Ethan and his dear Mama!

Thank you friends and goodnight!

And Now For Something Completely Different....

Cute baby boy Christmas stuff from Mini Boden!

I can't wait to meet my little one!

I Don't Want To Talk About It But....Really?!

The Nobel Peace Prize?!

For what, exactly?

(And I just threw up a little in my mouth)

The. end.

But I'm All Full Of Love!!!

Maeve's favorite new game is to tackle hug Amelie.

Repeatedly.

Over.

and.

Over.

Amelie enjoys the new game--she can't seem to get enough hugs, usually!

After enduring the tackle-hug game for a good 10 minutes Amelie announced to Maeve,

"Maeve! I love you but that is enough hugs! I am all full of love! I don't have any room left for more love!"

=)

Because I Had To Share

Well...I didn't *have* to, but I wanted to. =)

p.s. I'm not against vaccines in any way--but this one, I think is scary!

I Did It!

I finally figured out what to order for Maeve's birthday and placed an order yesterday!

I was looking for a small climby-slidey-outdoorsy-thing-that-would-fit-on-the-porch but everything was over $100 and we usually don't spend any more than $50 for birthday or christmas! So, on clearance, we found this!

Cherry Blossom Market (Little sister of the Rose Petal Cottage!)

It comes with a little cash register and has room for her little chair inside! I hope she likes it and Amelie has already helpfully informed me that SHE likes it so we'll be all set either way =)

My Husband's Choir Singing The National Anthem For The **PHILLIES!!**

Nesting Freak Out

* I have unpacked every. single. box. and I can't find my boppy cover! I have a naked boppy people! ahhhhhhh!

* The lamp and shade I bought for the nursery do not work together. I have a shade-less lamp people!!!

* I need a freakin' monitor that doesn't cost $70--what's the deal with those things and why are they so stinkin' expensive?! I've never lived anywhere that was big enough to necessitate a monitor for my babies so I'm at a loss!

* Also--need to buy a sling and hire a sherpa--b/c with two little ones (and one slightly less little one) I'm going to need all the help I can get toting things!!

Thus ends my freak out, for now. =)

Amelie Says...

"Three kids is a lot of work! It will be hard for you to do everything that all three kids need since you are just two people. I will become the third helper and I will help with Maeve and Cinnamon. I can help by waking them up when you need me to and getting you things and helping feed them and get them drinks. I can also play with them and read them books. It will be a lot of work--but I like to help!"

How did I get lucky enough to have such a fantastic 4 yo?! =)