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

a holiday recap of sorts....

well folks, it's come, gone, and done....and on to January. I have to say, though, the holiday time fared rather well, and now we can settle down, and get back to the everyday appreciations, and lovins, and a bit less chaos....

We had a nice quiet x-mas morn' here, chock full of handmade wrappins', waffles, strawberries, and giftin'. The kids got some fun stuff, and yes, this mama wrapped up the new snow pants and socks, and needed items as well, not that it ever snows in these parts....:)The kidlets seemed to enjoy themselves, and hubs spoiled me rotten, out of the blue, with a remote carstarter, that I have been all sorts of lovin' everytime we have left the house since...



Between Hanukah and X-mas these kidlets got spoiled rottenby both my family and bry's and allthough I am very appreciative, as they indeed loved all their gifties, (yes, even the socks and snowpants...) I definately had some damage control to do for several days after the festivities came to an end....NEVER SPOIL YOUR CHILDREN....I am shocked at how fast they can go from appeciating a new toy to the greedy....IS THAT FOR ME TOOOOOO??? Followed by a rush to grab the next present. But alas, all seems to be under control, and the troops are rallying back to normalville here, which is a great relief to me...



New Years will be a quiet event, hosted here, just some friends and family, nothing crazy....just some chill time...with good eats and great company.


In baby news, lil man is growing on schedule, and doc says, that the more kids you have, the stretchier things get, hence why when you stare at the belly he appears to be doing jumping jacks, it's because he can....

I am just trying to rest and savour the last several days of break before school is back in session until maternity leave takes over....just......a......few....more....weeks...........

Lil man starts swimming lessons with Pa in a few more weeks, and shortly after that, there will be three, folks.......just trying to take it day by day, love every moment, and not be to overwhelmed by what lies ahead!


anyhow, hope you all fared the holidays and are doing wonderful, I miss you all, and am looking forward to some mini visits soon....

NIN....so glad you are feeling better and the holidays worked out....can't wait to have drinkies with you after babymaking is come and gone....

S- I have been thinking lots about you too, miss you something fierce, and for you, my calender is out....lets do even just coffee perhaps this weekend?????
hugs...

well, we are deeply submerged into the holiday season, although the weather is kind of a drag. I am not a huge snow fan, but folks, 53 the weekend of Christmas...BBLAGHHH. What we need is a good cold spell, to kill all of these nasty germs and refresh the winter spirit....uhmm, can you say GLOBAL WARMING...

So the kidlets have been all sorts of digin' on their Hannukah lovins' and are just about ready to jump into their Christmas bashes, as the festivities will be all sorts of chaos and holiday craziness starting this weekend!



Lil man's new favorite chore is vacuuming up all the tree needles that fall on the floor everyday to help out, this among the daily reorganization of ornaments that continues.....ahhhh, my little Ty Pennington....

Anyhow, for the most part all is well, I have been sending lots of well wishes to some families in need out there, and can only imagine the struggles that they are going through, which is stressing me a bit, but I am tring to keep my head up....

I am out of control with my germaphopia, more on that another day, just trying to stay healthy, and get through the next few days!
sorry to anybody who is waiting on me to make plans, I have sort of been in a no plans mode, as planing things in advance is stressing me, so so soon folks, I promise to get my head out of my way and make plans.....I PROMISE....

Ahhhh, hormones, gotta love 'em....
Love to you and yours, from me and mine,

A

the holidays are coming....oh my....

well, they are upon us, and so far so good. I am exhausted, had an ultrasound today, and guess what, the little guy only weighs in at about 4 lbs. right now, not the 30 or so that I had estimated, so I guess, I am indeed the one packing on the pounds, not the baby! Hence the exhaustion, lots of weight, little frame, SOOOO stinking tired. Oh yeah, and the other two children.... :-)


this is little T's view on a regular basis...poor kid. She is so excited, and regularly puts her little hands all over the belly and says "MOOOOOVE Benjiben!!!!" (Benjamin is not in her vocab...but I stinkin' love benjiben, and may even call him that for kicks...no mom, not really.

no complaints though. everything looks great, and estimating the little man to arrrive in the begining of feb, sometime.....I would post more pics, but hmmm....

the kiddies are good, M insists on rehanging the ornaments on the tree all day long, a tradition he has deamed "decoration days" and is absolutely thrilled to light the harmonica candles, if only harmonica would hurry up and get here!

Just a few more days little guy. I promise!


anyhow, I hope you are all fairing the season well, and I look forward to seeing all your sunshiney faces sooo soon.

much love, and happy holidays....A

p.s. nin, I have been reading faithfully, but blogger will not let me leave you comments....urghhh, so irritating. So miss you love you, and hope to see you soon...

randi, thanks for the comment, so glad you finally left one. how are your holidays so far....do we have a WH gathering in the works for over X-mas??

SC - sorry we couldn't work it, lets shoot for after x-mas before new years....but maybe a girlie gathering in the meantime??

and SE...so glad you had a nice time, x-mas???

chel, see you soooo soon!

santa came to town....

and threw up all over my neighbors yard....
I wish you could all see it....I mean really, it is like these folks drove to the local walmart, raided the store, bought everything that you could blow up, tie down and light up, and are in the process of putting it within my field of vision....

I am trying to stay open minded, I think that some lights are pretty, but people please, a blow up dalmation wearing a santa hat that is the size of my minivan....NOT FLIPPING COOL.
(sorry if I am offending any of you that think this 10 foot snow globes are cute...)

IN OTHER NEWS...as I am trying to ignore Chevy Chase across the street, who has been out there for FOUR FREAKING HOURS PEOPLE...yes, read FOUR....and is still unpacking boxes of items that need to be set up.

the x-mas and harmonica(as lil man calls it) cards are done, and we are just in the process of getting the holiday picture taken which is semi impossible, as Teags just isn't into letting me take the pic with out getting up and walking away....and I have tried everything, so after naps, we will try again...


and no, he is not choking her, he was trying to ge her to look up at the camera, all while saying, "ugh, T-bo you are driving me stinking insane...."











oh, and people, if you are reading, say hi. I love to hear that you all read, but leave me a comment, it makes my day to know your all here! just click on the little comment link at the end of the post. it is not rocket science....

keepin' it real....

so december has arrived and I am less than enthusiastic, I feel like this time of year is so full of errands, to do lists, obligations, obligations and more obligations....

SO, how to battle these winter blahs...

I am trying to spend this year focusing on what is important, what makes me smile, doing the things I want to do, and what is best for our family, not necesarily what pleases everyone else...

so in the spirit...I am making my OWN list

gonna wanna do list:

*gonna curl up with some sweet decaf at night by the fire, while I work on the holiday cards(which will probably inevitabley be late)

*gonna not spend the whole day everyday running around and picking up the kiddos toys that will be back on the floor in 5 minutes...and I am not gonna stress abot what people think of this when they come over to my house...

*gonna not feel obligated to spend a fortune on gifts for people that we rarely see anyway, and going to try and make everyone else remember that it is not STINKING about the gifts and the amount of money you spend, rather the thought that goes into it and the love behind it....

*gonna marvel in my kids faces as they experience all the joys of the holiday season, like making gingerbread men, which lil man will LOVE, and eating them, which T-bo will cherish...

*gonna get lost on my book everynight before bed while I curl up by my snoring husband, and remember how lucky I am to have such a wonderful man in my life...

*gonna bake lots of treats for lots of folks and make homemade gifties and I am gonna pretend that people are happy to get them, because that's what I want to do....

*gonna ignore all the irritating statements about how stinkin' huge my belly is...helllloooo, I cannot move, obviously I am aware of it...and I am gonna cherish every little movement that this lil man makes inside me, as I think he will maybe probably *maybe* be the last little one that I carry...

*gonna be outside in the fresh crisp air as much as humanly possible...

*gonna light candles everynight so I can hear the little guys say "HAPPY CANDLELIGHT!"

*gonna stop letting the little things make me crazy....gonna just remember that they are just little things, and they don't matter, so just ignore them all together!

*gonna stop letting the nasty, unhelpful, attitude-ridden sales people everywhere I go drag me down...and remember that they to have lots on their plates...

*gonna love, gonna live, gonna be grateful, thankful and content...THE WHOLE SEASON....just like I am able to do easily the rest of the year....and remember what matters most....

What are you gonna do....

turkey love....

home, sleepy, thankful, overwhelmed,
















sending you all lots of love...

A

it's on!

well folks, officially 3 days till we head for VT and I am beyond stoked. The chinese cookies are done, the food shopping in shifts has begun, and I have mede the checklists of things that MUST be remembered in order for a successful trip....potty seats, strollers, backpacks, diapers, tylenol...(just in case), oh yah, and tylenol for me, etc. so much to do so little time.

T is starting to finally kick this cold, however, she is still stylin' and hanging around the homefront in her jammies and her bunnies, yup, she digs those slippers every morning before she puts on her heeled clogs....my mini me...no doubt this kiddo is mine....

Lil man is all set for VT, and has allready packed his toys...he is ready for thanksgiving, and says all he has left to do is make a centerpiece...hmmm...


SO all in all things are good and just gearing up to get moving....

the princess is up so I must run, but happy 3 days till turkey day to you,

hugs, Al

takin' some time tuesday

well, it's been a long, long few days since the last post, and I must say, that things have been crazy indeed. The kiddos are still working a cold I swear that they have had for over a month, the days are flying by, and shockingly, thanksgiving, I am thankful is now in the single digits away!!!! I am so ready for a mini vacation. That is all I will say, I need to get away....
It was a wicked busy weekend filled to the brim, and closing off with a memorial service for Bry's Grammie. My man got up and spoke and was totally overcome with emotion, and he did a beautiful job. Told a sweet story and warmed my heart...I love him. His bro sang a solo and his sister read a poem, amongst some other speakers, and it was overall just really nice...we miss her. Then B's family all came back to the house for some apps and chill time, and off to bed....this mama needs some shut eye....


But none here....
T-bo was up all night last night, fever, crying, and just overall FUSS. I got about an hour of sleep and eventually threw in the towel and called sick for the day. She is on better terms today, but I am pretty convinced it is molars breaking through, as her gums look pretty peeved...
She is being a trooper today though and took a nice long nap while the lil man was at school, and on top of that used te toilet for the second time....shocking. She can't even get on the pot herself, and she is doing her buisness....stunning. Rock on girlie!


anyhow, not much else going on here, just determined to beat these coughs,runny noses and belly achings one of these days.

grateful for cuddles, and Calliou today, and for my kiddos who love to torment each other, but not always....




Fania - maybe this weekend??

Nina....miss you girl...sending cozies your way....

to my man.....

sappy anniversary wishes here. yesterday Bry and I celebrated our FOUR year anniversary. It was a nice low key day of work, followed by some out-to-dinner-without-the-kidlets-time, lots of conversation of where we come from and where we are headed, our aspirations, our dreams, and our desires....but mostly just us, smiling and chatting and enjoying some yummy food. times have been a bit stressful, as with pregnancy comes lots o' hormones, lots of anxiety about making the transition from two to three, what comes next, what changes, and what stays the same thoughts. it was so nice to spend some quality time...just as two...not thinking, just being.

it was not an extravagant eve, just a nice low-key, bry and al style gala. no glamour, no glitz.....just the way we like it. this man is a treasure, and I hope he knows through all the craziness and chaos and sometimes just overwhelming life that we have, I think that it doesn't get any better than this. That I truly love and am in love with it all, and I wouldn't trade it, not any of it, for anything. not ever.

I am proud of us....we are being the best parents that we can be, through the runny noses and fussy-pants, the happy healthy smiles shine through, and these kiddos are growing, learning, thriving even...and they bring a warmth and happiness to my life that I never imagined existed....even when I am out of control and filled to the brim with "must clean this house....must bake these breads...must bath these kids and vacuum all at the same time," stress, i am happy, and looking into your big beautiful blue eyes, makes it all okay, makes me realize that we have a good thing going, and I can't wait to spend the rest of our days seeing what comes next and our nights falling asleep together, loving our babies, each other, and everything...together.

I love you baby, and happy anniversary....

october's end.....

hey all,

after much halloween chaos and a long stinkin' head cold that is finally headed out I think, HAPPY NOVEMBER!!!






Halloween was a blast, the kiddos did a spectacular job, despite my placing them in very gender specific roles, (sorry sara) they had a fabulous time trick or treating. At every house Teags would shake her pom poms, and give a big old smile, and lil' man would say something so damn cute that we all walked around with perma-grin for the evening.










The progression of understanding was delightful to watch as well. At house #1, the door opened, and lil man without hesitation, walked inside...so, after some coaching, he figured out it was not necessary to go IN, to get the candy. He would tell the happy halloween folks, "I am a BUFFALO BILL, you can't wait to see my costume!" or "This is how we hold the ball...."




I taught on Halloween, as it was a Tues. and one of the staff members at my school deemed the belly in need of a pumpkin costume, and decorated me with some colored tape, which was adored by all that saw it, and pretty appropriate, as I was wearing the brightest flaming orange shirt that I could locate in my closet full of stuff that barely covers this fast expanding baby boy!

So overall, we had fun...trick or treated till the kiddos couldn't even entertain the idea of going any further, and spent the next day gorging ourselves on the kids candy...(Bry and I of course....) I am actually sugared out, if that is even possible....


hugs, and halloween smiles your way,

Al

p.s. the THANKSGIVING countdown is ON! I am just a flutter with dreams of cozy clothes and slippers, turkey, crabmeat ball with doritos(uh, I know sounds gross, but it is amazing,) spinach dip, cranberry sauce, and to top it all of good folks to enjoy it all with! HUGS ALL...

happy rainy saturday peeps

hey all.

my apologies to those that actually read this, but I slacked for awhile, was dealing with some aggravations that I could not post about, and needed to take a breather so I didn't vent here about things as they have been the last week or two....but I'M OVER IT...and ready to move on....


so, the kidlets and I are enjoying a peaceful rainy saturday. we are gonna stay in our jammies all day, have soup for lunch and just stay cozy together. I have some cleaning plans, and some repotting plans while T-bo naps, and I am anticipating a long one because yet again, my pumpkin has a sneezy sniffle, and fever head cold.....my gosh. I give these kids their herbies, their vits, and they eat healthier than most kids....urgh.

Anyhow, it was a crazy week, lots to do, and never enough time, energy, or patience...this belly is way more exhausting than the last two were.





Perhaps that is partially the broken foot on top of it all that drags out my energy. The foot is mostly on the mend, I have trouble still if I am on it for extended periods of time, but for the most part I have phased out the boot. If we go to the orchard or something, I pop it on, just no need for it around the house anymore. Glad that chapter of chaos is coming to a close....knockin on wood here....

been trying to get in lots of outside time, as we love love and want to eat up all this glorious fall weather!


so stay warm folkies, and sending our fall vibes you way....
sara - it was so wonderful to see you guys, will we be seeing you for the service on the 12th? perhaps we can have some fun weekend activities....

nin - wish I knew where in CT you would be so I could surprise you in jammies and all with coffees for you and your boo!

fania, happy 4 years! hope you had a wonderful one!

kate-emma....sending GIGANTIC congrats your way...we love you both and can't wait to join you in VT for a big ole' crazy wedding...