feeling re*fresh*ed

ahhh....so feeling refreshed...

packed up benji-bean and headed off to Whole Foods at 8 am and LOADED up on fresh fruits, veggies, cheeses, organic chicken, breads and did i mention FRUIT. The local grocery store chains were so not doing it for me, and I was starting to dream about whole foods....read salivate at the thought of a fridge full of good - good for you food. I played it like this, "Bry (said w/baby in carrier, keys in hand, and one foot out the door.) I know you want me to go to Big Y because it is quicker, but I am gonna go to Whole Foods instead because I just won't be happy until I do...BYE! (door closes to fast to hear response....) and it was lovely...it was actually like a supermarket sweep. I went as fast as I could to get all I could imagine we would need, lingered a few times over the Crocs display, as I am desperately craving a new orange pair, and a new pair for T cause hers are starting to get to small...oops side track, anyway, I busted my way through the store, and it felt damn good to fill my fridge with so much yumminess that I had to actually PUSH the door shut and hope the smoked gouda didn't bust out of it's wrapping!

It is a beautiful day out, and I am feeling chock full of energy to play outside, work on the kiddies b-day gifties, make some fresh baked goodies, maybe hang with Pa for a bit, and, and, and.....


in the news here, t-bo busted her nose, and she looks like a little football player. She was trying to get off the couch while I was getting her dressed, and she rolled over face first/nose first onto the wood floor...now the topic of conversation is -
"I get boo-boo - I mooshed my nose on the floor."
why?
"I dropped myself on the floor"
Oh, of course.

The boys are fabulous, the big bean is so ready for some warm weather, and is all sorts of excited about the upcoming festivities for his and Teags birthday... I am too, although I am not sure what I will use as bait after the parties are over to tame my beans....

Lots of nice visits this week, as Bry has been pulling long days, and I love to have visitors on those long, long days....

anyhow, I hear talk in the other room of painting the floor, and that cannot be good, so I must go, time to load the kids in the car, pick up an iced coffee and find some deeeelightful outdoor activity to do.

peace y'all.

A

p.s. Nin, I am over the moon that you are coming to the bbq, I cannot wait to see you and spend some mama-ing time with you. I *heart* you!

S.C. So stoked for a possible weekend visit....miassss you! and it was nice to chat this a.m. - your message is indeed on the machine...MY BAD.

a mama's joy....

it has been a whirlwind of days here, hence the lack of posts...but where oh where to begin.

it
all started on a dark and stormy night...no, just kidding. but
truthfully, life has been crazy, reminding me how special all the
peaceful quiet moments I get to spend with each bean are, like thelil mama and girlie kiss, when I can brush my lips over her soft cheek and she gives a giggle and a "you love me momeeeee" whispered in my ear. Savoring those moments here.

friday was an amazing day, the big guy had an easter
egg hunt with his class, and I was so proud of him. All the kiddos were
running around crazy trying to cram as many sugar filled pastel colored
eggs into their baskets as the could, and my guy was so sweet...he
picked up three eggs, and said with big huge eyes, "look at these eggs
mommy..." he was utterly unconcerned with the madness around him and
the mad dash for candy. When everyone sat down to open their eggs, he
opened each egg like it was the most fragile treasure he had ever seen,
and picked up each jelly bean one at a time, and would ask me if I
would like one. When it was time for cake and juice, he was a please
and thank you-er every time, (as if there is a "time" for cake and
juice, and that they needed any more sugar - ) and being as
quick/politically and socially special as I am at these semi - super
conservative preschool parent gatherings as I am, I referred to the food as "crack for kids" - so smooth...nina
where are you, I soooo wish our kids were in school together so I had you
by my side to" get" these statements, and not to gape at me with huge
unsure eyes...and think - what in the hell is wrong with this girl. I
know you would be right by my side in flip-flops while it is drizzling
with our kiddies who insist on creatively dressing themselves....



regardless, fridays craziness was followed
by the most magnificent event to honor my dad. Pa has officially
retired from his job, and there was a massive party at a fancy-pants
hotel with a couple hundred people who had just the most amazing things
to say about my father. There were laughs and slide shows, and hours of
people who are the biggest fans of my dad, coming over to tell us what
an amazing man he is...not that we needed to be told, we think the
world of him already, but it was still so neat to hear all the
anecdotes and see all the people who cherish him so in his workplace
there to wish him luck in whatever comes next. It is a special guy who
gets referred to as "the reason why so many of these people come to work every day." We were so insanely proud...and still are.

















Though I have yet to come up with the perfect retirement gift, as I feel like
I want to do something special, that doesn't say, okay your old, you can start wearing black socks pulled up with sandals and a fishing hat type gift, as he is so not that guy....any ideas???

anyhow, saturday brought brunch with the Vermontsters and dinner delights at the folks house, sunday a gathering with the fam to say bye to chels, mon. a visit from hubby's half sister and her mom from NJ, and tues. shots for the lil man, and a passover seder at the folks house, that was delightful...

needless
to say, today is being spent all sorts of resetting the kids from the
madness, so alas I am savoring all those little moments...

if you were my neighbor....

(this face comes complete with an "oye-veigh")

the sun is out, and I finally am starting to feel like spring may be here for real this time....

we are marveling in all the warm weather that we can get our grimy little hands on, and filling every day to the fullest with as much sunshine as our big ole' eyes can take in...

we took the day yesterday to catch up on our outside time and the goodness that comes with loads of fresh air.... it was a good day, Teags, Benji and I went out to breakfast while the big guy was at school - then when it was time to get him, we came home and chilled out in the yard till auntie max got here.

the rest of the afternoon was a fresh air-loving mama's dream, we had a picnic in the driveway






auntie max and lil man diggin' into lunch






(the backyard is a mud filled mess right now, and the littlest beans were sleeping in the van - )














followed by massive amounts of tye-dying and kidlets play time.....

nothing is sweeter than an-almost 2 bean running around talking about her new tye-die shirt that is blowing in the tree!































and as the afternoon came to a close, hubs came home to me trying to get his long-time- stuck -in -the- mud- Saab- unstuck, and declared me a bonafide hippy-redneck....ahh, it's cool, i wear it proud....if there is such a thing...

where i've been.....

holy head colds and exhaustion and laziness, it was a spring tease, and I have been hanging in the house and being slightly disgruntled about it. I am so tired of the indoor routine, and am desperately awaiting picnic lunches on the deck, playground tripies, garden adventures, and all the warmth and craziness that spring and summer bring....

in the meantime, I am holed up in the house with my three crazies, and we are ready to bust out....but in case you want a peek into the daily grind...

here yah go...
thank goodness for PBS....




















followed by crafting/drawing on the paper covered table....we all need a lil creative outlet right?? preferably NOT my walls and furniture...



















some "living room fishing" no joke folks....and let me tell you that thing is stinkin' heavy, i've got the big toe bruise to proove it...



















a search & rescue....we are looking for the pile-up on the highway...which usually results in a pile-up of his little sister underneath him while he plows by her.













and lots and lots of potty time my peeps, LOTS
we are getting there....but we are also into the fascination of toilet paper, which SUCKS.














and then there is Benji - who is just as awestruck as I am about all the chaos -


so in love....














leave me a note if your stopping by to check in.....and tell me about your daily grind....
hugs A

happy hump day y'all

spring has sprung....for the meantime anyway. I'll take it. Amazing what a lil fresh air does for my beans....

it's BBQin' time, who's in......

I feel like a mama bear that has been hibernating with her cubs in the depths of winter....BUT, today this mama busted out the flip-lops and sunglasses, packed up the kidlets, yes, all three of them, and made my first annual spring pilgrimage to the dunkin' donuts for an iced coffee....yes people read....ICED! I....HEART....WARM...WEATHER. Today it took me 10 minutes to get the kiddies in the car and on the road, as opposed to the 1 hour it takes to get boots, hats, mittens, jackets, blah.blah.blah.....

I know it seems like no big deal, but i felt good to make the trip, to get out of the house and breath, deep breaths of FRESH AIR....

then we took the long scenic way home, rocked the jack johnson tunes while T-napped with her nasty drippy nose and rosy cheekies - she and M have caught another nasty....


kiddos even got some madly needed and deserved outside playtime til lil man wiped out in the mud and we had to come in, but i feel BBQ's coming on strong, chock full of cobb salads a la mimi and fresh veggies on the grill, ahhh...spring is here.




Benji is delicious. I stare at him for hours a day i think. His little legs, and his precious hands...and his way so alert big eyes....

he is a treat.



in other news....Bry's test gave the all clear, which tells us NOTHING. So, back to the dr i guess. Thank you to all who called and voiced there thoughts, it was much appreciated.

we are on mission organization here at the homefront, so if anyone has any ideas on what has worked for them, i am all ears!

hugs and mad sunshine love to you all!

A

p.s. nin, lets see what dates work.....maybe kev 2?

a month of new knowlege....

our bean is one month and 2 days old....I cannot believe how time has up and flown away...

I have learned so much, loved so much, and been blessed so very much,

but alas, I thought I might share some of my new knowlege with y'all, in case you were wondering...

* - 3 is different than 2. Don't let anyone convince you differently. We learned in Kindegarten that 3 was MORE than 2. NEWSFLASH. IT STILL IS. We are happily adjusting, and LOVING these 3 amazing kiddlets - just make sure you are up on those math skills before you procreate!

* - DO NOT, under any circumstance, no matter how important it seems, take three children 3 and under, to the grocery store....even if your very patient and easily humored aunt is with you. It is a suicide mission, and even if you are able to load up on groceries, you will also have $100 worth of shit you don't need, and you will inevitabley be too stinkin' tired to make dinner remembering all the ingredients when you get home anyway.

* - if your little girl disappear with a bag of rice cakes and the dog...she is PROBABLY not enjoying a healthy snack...alone




* - the odds of all three children sleeping at the same time, is way far less than winning the lotto I am SURE. Just because one is sleeping does not mean that the other 2 are, want to, or even intend to at any given point in the next decade.

* - no matter how tired you are, there is always time for cuddles and giggles and smiles....



* - good friends that bring you chocolate covered blueberries because they know that they are your favorite - and don't mind or judge you during a toddler meltdown at 5:30 - are friends for life....

* - just because your hubs saw something nasty spill in the fridge (and told you about it) - doesn't necessarily mean he cleaned it up...

* - weather that allows kids to play outside is FABULOUS...

* - when you are exhausted - your sense of humor is just a step away from any fifth-graders, and seeing somebody fall out of a chair seems insanely funny, enough to make you laugh all day - even if it is not really THAT funny....

* - helpful supportive parents, NEVER go out of style.

* - after nursing two previous children, the third can now be nursed while either crocheting a hat, bathing two others, baking muffins or vaccuming the living room....

* - quiet is bad. VERY, VERY bad...it either means your very expensive lotion is being used as cement to pave a road on your rug, or else some other utterly distructive activity is taking place, that is probably going to cost you a small fortune to fix, or else the rest of you day to clean....unless they are naping, quiet is very very bad.

* - if your hubby is watching the kids, and they are "going to clean the TV"...while holding a tub of vaseline, and a paintbrush each....tell him - this would NOT be the oppurtune time to run downstairs to the basement and start a laundry....

* - baking banana muffins is a great way to start the morning while the kids are watching "eductaional" TV, though I am not at all sure what is so educational about a duck with a beyond irritating LISP that is rescuing stranded annimals 20 times his size....

* - if you can't find it, they probably have it....and are probably not using it for what it was intended for....

*- just because they say that they are "pretend painting" doesn't mean that they are pretending....

*- kids are amazing. They rock my world, every minute of every day, and no matter what they put vasoline on, throw down the stairs, flush down the toilet, or demolish...I officially would have it no other way...I am in love with my teenies...this I knew, but have learned just how much, every moment of my days.

****just a glimpse inside my world to date.....****


hugs and love to you all.....A

p.s. sending hubby big positive vibes today, as he is at the hospital having some not fun tests done - that he is very nervous about....we miss you and are counting the minutes till you will be done....

a mama to three....

spendin' our days chillin' at the homefront...

sounds of the coffee brewing...
babies crying...
kidlets giggling....


benji has won my heart...as have all my other kiddies....
power stuggles, testing, and all that comes with the territory...


have had some visits with my lovelies, some much needed shared smiles and chat time....



and some snow days....


just adjusting to being a family of five...


click on pics to see bigger....

love to you all...A

makin it work....

so much to do....so little time to BLOG....

kiddies and mama are getting back into a routine, which is nice. If you know me I am not much of a routine person, but at the very least I need something that vaguely resembles a routine, and at least we are moving in that direction. I am feeling much less hormonal, which is good...those baby blues only last me a few days, but I hate being so weepy and needy and CRABBY. Especially with my hubs, who just doesn't deserve it. Still sore from the surgery, but on the mend....

To all of you who offered your words of comfort and wisdom, I do so appreciate it, it means alot.
KIDLET UPDATE:

The new bean is doing great, he is just the sweetest little cuddle bug, much like his big brother was as an infant, and overall, just a calm and peaceful little one.

The big guy is still having some troubles adjusting and is testing the waters wicked with talking back and acting out, but he is SUCH a champ, that I know we will get there.


The princess is fabulous, putting together sentences all on her own and "running FAST" all over the house, telling on her brother, and overall just being a peach. She is my non cuddler, an independant little bean, who puts herself to sleep, will give you a quick kiss on the cheek, say night-nights, and away she goes. She is having a "sleep over" tonight at Mimi and Pa's and is just tickled about the idea....



anyhow, gonna go help Lil man clean the playroom so he can paint....

hugs to you all....
A

a tough time....

hey all,

sorry to be sooo absentee, but things here have not been easy, after arriving home, I had all the highest hopes that things would run smoothly and the transition to three would be a peice of cake, how wrong I was.

my girlie had the stomach icks so bad that I actually had to move out for a few days because the pediatrician did not want the new guy to catch a bug. Being away from my girl while she was sick was one of the most difficult things that I have ever had to do, and thank goodness for my amazing hubby who plowed through the weepies and spit ups and sat up all night with T while she wimpered, and occupied the big guy as we assumed after running around with the puke bucket on his head, (sterilized of course) that he was infected....

but alas , after several days I came home, and sort of crossed my fingers that we were in the clear, as I simply could stay away from my family no more....thanks to mom and dad for putting up with me and baby benji, allthough, he is a snap, by far (knock hard on wood please) the easiest of the three....

so drama over, uhm no wait never mind, my girl continued to fuss and I finally sent her with Bry to the Doc's again yesterday and in the works AGAIN, is another ear infection. LOVELY.

I want my kiddos to be happy and healthy, I want to settle back into a rountine that allows me to care for my lovelies, clean up the house and do what needs to get done. I want to feel like being social again....I am being a bit of a hermit right now, as I just don't feel like visiting with people. I know it is normal hormonal baby blues stuff that happens to me EVERY TIME I give birth to an amazing little being.....but damn it I wish it would just PASSSSSSS already.

On an up note though Benji is AMAZING....a chill little guy, whose only care is to nurse and doze....

SO, my hugest apologies if I haven't called you back, returned e-mails, or sought you out for a visit, I am just trying to get by right now, trying to remember to smile, and letting myself adjust. Overall the kids are being rockstars and they are okay with the fact that mommy is a little sad....they are filling me up with kisses and smiles and making me laugh through these sometimes sad eyes....gotta love these hormones.....don't give up on me folks....needing those positive thoughts

A

Welcome to the world baby boy....

well, this is gonna be an insanely short post, as I am exhausted and on numerous painkillers right now, but Benjamin Cade is here....he was born on Feb 3rd at 2:47 a.m, a calm and happy, and very peaceful baby. He is a peanut, weighing in at 6lbs, 15 oz.....SO TEENY....

The hospital stay was long and though I am happy to be home, the homecoming has been rough, as T came down with the stomach bug,just a few hours after I arrived....lovely.

Nobody said it was going to be easy....

All our love to you all,
A

feeling out of touch....an update and a truck load of shout outs....

hey all,





Courtesy of Pa and Mimi, Lil man has been trying all sorts of new fun things, with Pa in tow, and so far skating takes the cake over swimming, although, not so sure Pa, or Pa's back would agree, as lil man sort of just hangs in Pa's arms while Pa pushes him around. It is insanely funny to watch though! Looking forward to being able to join them, although at this stage in the pregnancy I DON"T DARE put on skates.



T-bo is a trooper, in spite of an ear infection, she has just been a bit fussy, and the chances are that an outsider would not have even known she was uncomfortable, she is just acting overtired. She is very anxious about "benji-ben" though, and has begun demanding him to come out...."out benji-ben, come out NOW!" and when you ask her when he's coming she will get a very dreamy look in her eyes and say soo sweetly..."coming sooooon...."



in other news, I am officially done with work...can't kick this head cold, and my prinipal finally said, throw in the towel girl! So I am, officially, now home to hang and rest and CLEAN....I don't think I could have motivated myself into work clothes at this point anyway, not that I haven't been wearing fleece pants to work for almost a month, because indeed I have....if you have seen me you - you understand!

a massive thanks to carrie and mindy though, who have sworn to me that I look fabulous - I do so appreciate the compliment, whether it is true or not, as if you have ever been preggers, the last 2 weeks DO NOT feel glamourous. Though I don't feel bad, just nice to hear!

anyhow, gonna go pick up some more toys off the floor, scrub some floors and then spend the morning hangin' out....


still here, and no baby yet, which is fine by me, as the rest of the babes are sick and I would be worried to insane levels about them if I weren't here to care for them myself! T officially has her first ear infection that we are dealing with, (my first as a mama too, M has never had one....KNOCK ON WOOD,) and the kidlets and I have had just a nasty head/chest cold going on, sooooo, I am taking some down time, to nest, to chill, to sip tea, and hopefully kick this before the labor pains kick in.....
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hugs to you ALL...

A

A load of Shout outs....to those I haven't been able to catch up with -
Fania - post it girl, I am reading....and this weekend would be lovely if everyone is healthy!

Max - we are so proud of you, and I heart the book/box you made us, it is insanely beautiful...

Brooke, we will indeed hang ASAP. Once these kiddies are healthy! Sorry I couldn't join the girls, but I was wiped out....miss you and we will lunch soon!

Matt...feel better, we are rooting for you and hoping that healing comes QUICK...if we can do anything at all chaffer - CALL US....

K.E.A - Welcome out of LURKEVILLE...it is always such a nice surprise to have acomment from an unexpected source!

NINA------I am tired, need mama time with you soon. Hope your kiddies are fabulous, and just so you know, you inspire me....

MOM & DAD - thanks always for the help and support. we would be truly lost with out you both.

B& S, it was so nice to see you, and to chat. I can't wait to spend some more Q.T with you when lil ben arrives.

Chels, sorry we haven't been able to connect. Phone is tough with two fussies over here, but I have been thinking about you, and I love you and hope all is fabulous out yonder....
okay, now that I feel like I am writting a yearbook entry....
All my love y'all......A




p.s. any good rec's on some new teas??? Bry and I have been dropping the coffee as is stomach can't handle it, and I have just plain been diggin' the decaf teas....send those rec's my way!!

wednesday ramblings.....

morning all, and my apologies for not posting since the 8th,
holy chaos, I cannot believe it has been that long. Here all is well,
no baby yet, but one crazy mama and two anxious kiddos, and a wholelotta
peeps taking bets on the date...so just FYI, today is the first day in
the pool of dates and it goes to Pa, if he is right - oh and HAPPY
BIRTHDAY DAD! Dad/Pa is celebrating today, and tonight we will do eats
over at our place as the temp is gonna be in the single stinkin' digits, and way too cold for the little ones to venture out in....

been
a bit busy here, as I am on the executive board at the preschool, and
it just so happens that registration happens as this pregnancy comes to
a close, and I am the membership chairperson...PROBABLY the most
official title I will ever have, and perhaps the most paperwork I will
ever do! Oh well, a Co-op is a Co-op is a Co-op right!

I am also buried to my ears in lesson plans galore for my substitute, and just crossing my fingers to be able to at least get MOST of them done for her....uh, yeah right. SO SO SO much to do.

Lil man, who is uhm, not really so little anymore,
started swimming lessons with Pa on Sunday, and in his own words,"I had
a little trouble in the water.." apparently we still need to work on
keeping our mouths shut in the water, but I have no worries, he will
get there, and is thrilled to go back this weekend.




So besides a bit of rambling, not much has
been going on, just been working away here and am looking forward to
some chill time. A doc's appointment today and just waiting to hear
what's going on, I have such mixed feelings, as I am sort of at that
state that I am ready to be done being pregnant, but at the same time,
I am going to miss this big ole belly and watching the little guy
chilling in there. We are definitely done makin ' babies, so this will
be the last pregnancy for me, and I just have such mixed feelings about
moving on from this stage in my life. If money grew on trees, and it
wasn't so freaking expensive to raise kids, I would have a dozen, but
there is no way for us to provide adequately for more than this, and to
give them the good life and help with there educations, and blah, blah,
blah, blah.....

SO, enough sentimental business, we will see
what the doc has to say, and on from there. Anyhow, gonna go clean this
house so Pa can chill and have his B-day dinner of Thai/ Sushi, and
Pastries from the Italian District tonight...
So, Cheers to Pa, a
night of yummy food and good company, and maybe even some chill time
with the friends this weekend, but we shall see what the weekends
brings.....

hugs all. A


Nin, I seriously heart the shirts that you are
making, and wanna have a girlie gathering that you can teach me, I
wanna do some long sleeve onesies! Miss you something fierce and intend to do some doula begging today at the docs office. Wish me luck!

Fania,
miss you after our spoilage of two weekends in a row....don't know
about your mugs, but let me just tell you how worth it my lip gloss
treats were....LOVE THEM.

DOOBY.....SO looking forward to hangin.


and
BROOKE....if you are still reading this, I hope you and Ryan are
fabulous, and I would love to get together soon....I am so sorry that
this have been to hectic to make any solid plans....saw M last night
and she too would like to maybe get together, so let's put out heads
together and make something work, you are welcome to come here and the
boys and T can tear up the house together!

hugs all, A

a mama and girlie weekend....

been taking a slight hiatus from the computer, as it is getting slow in it's old age, and hence very irritating.....

all is well here...had a nice and quiet mama and T weekend, filled with napping, visiting with a few of my girls and overall, just down time. Lil man ended up spending much of the weekend with mimi and pa, as they had lots of fun plans, and it was just plain too much truckin around for this belly.



an update on the belly, it's huge, and I have actually given up on the shirts actually covering the bottom of it....not gonna happen, and so what right???
soon soon, this lil man will join the fam, and I guess we will join the ranks of outnumbered parents, and then I think I am good to stop contributing to the population problem....


so, T and I had our girlie time, did some shopping, spoiled ourselves with some yummy lunches, and I splurged on some anthropologie treats that made me smile....



other than a quiet weekend, been working on getting hubs healthy, as his belly has been at him for sometime, so fingers crossed that it is nothing serious and that the doc can figure it out and soon....hate to see my man unhappy....



and lastly a shot of T-girl, having her first girlie playdate, with my girlfriends lil peanut...so neat to watch, observe, and learn....




oh well, not much else to report here, gotta go to work, just 11 more work days, let's hope I can pull through that long. this mama is wiped....happy, but wiped....

and so it goes....

a new year has begun, I have so much to be thankful for and and cherish and love and take pride in, but for today, I am just gonna chill and put up these preggo feet for awhile... in the meantime though, a motion pick of the most adorable little croc'ed feet crossed and chilling in the mama-van while I drive....I know, I know, not safe, but aren't you ever curious about what your eyes miss while they are focused on something else??? I just sort of held the camera over my head and snapped to see what the lil peach does back there.....

love you all and hope your all doing well as this new year starts off....

TO STEFANIA....
hey girlie,

just wanted to tell you what a wonderful time I had visiting over coffee and snacks....

it was so delightful to spend even a short hour and a half drinking up our deeeelicious conversation and catching up. I am sooooo hoping to see your beautiful face again soon. The kidlets heart their gifties, and I my homemade lovins'.

Hugs and happy thoughts your way my love....
A