birthday madness....

hey all,

just a quick post to send mad love out to all who called the beans yesterday and wished them a happy day. They were simply over the moon to get so many wonderful wishes, and birthday love came by way of the mail and e-mail too...lucky beans they are indeed. M turned 4 and T turned 2, with baby bean reaching the 3 month mark on sat, and bry turning 29....there is alot going on.....

we had a lovely day yesterday soaking up the sun, playing at the playground,wearing their matching tie-dyes... a picnicky lunch, and so much more...followed by a visit from pa and mimi, with their much anticipated gifties. The big bean has been lovin' on his fisher price digital camera ALL day, and slept with it right beside him last night...and little T's jewelry box overflowing with "pretties" is just deeelightful to her! I came out of the shower this a.m to T with 12 necklaces on...my mardi-gras girlie....

Bry's b-day is on sat, so we spent the morn' spoiling him - of course with out his knowledge and now we will start busying ourselves with preparing for all the party chaos that this weekend will bring! T and I went to the garden store and picked out lots of pretty daisies to plant - her in her sun hat, to die for...and benji snoozin' away. She has taken so nicely to the idea of birthdays, and now anything that she wants...is for her"bird-tay." Today she wanted some milk to drink for her bird-tay, later flowers, a muffin, etc. fun is!

The big bean is out working with Pa for the day, so with much to do, I wish you all a happy, sun filled spring day....

hugs, A

ahhh....my genes.

conversation this afternoon while headed out for a short car ride...

m:: "mommy can I bring this stick in the car?"

Me::"No sweetie."

m:: "but why?"

Me::"because I said no."

m:: "but I want to, pleeeeeeease...why can't I?"

Me:: "because it is sharp and if I stopped short you could poke your eye out, than you wouldn't be able to see my beautiful face everyday telling you how much I stinkin' love you."
door slams, I go around the van, start the car, pull out of the driveway, and one minute later....

m:: "Oh mommy, don't be silly, I could use the other eye."


I *heart* my children.

back in buisness

ahhhhh...let's all breath a collective sigh of relief. My big man is back, newly re-engergized and chock full of spring sunshine, the kiddo is high on life, and spring, and getting ready to garden, and his little bro and sis, and AHHHHHHHHH....

I couldn't be happier. ONE TIME OUT ALL DAY. That my friends, well, that is stinkin' HUGE.



















The big guy had his birthday party for school friends today...he opted for a make your own pizza party at our friends' restaurant, 7 - three year olds...DEEELIGHTFUL.... BUT it was fun. I have to admit, I didn't sleep well last night. I
was slightly...(read paralyzed with fear) that it was going to be a total disaster. I already feel like many of these parents see me a bit as a nonconformist-red-neck-hippy-walking-disaster, that comes down with a wicked case of verbal diarhea EVERY time I am around them, HOWEVER, everything was wonderful. The kids and parents seemed to enjoy themselves, and alas, it is DONE, at least til the big BBQ next weekend, but that is at our house, and I love entertaining here...and , and,and,and....
T-bo was a blast at the party, a total charm, as she always is, ran around with her balloon like it was her job, batting her eyelashes, and she made a damn good pizza I must say....
and the baby bean slept through the entire party, which was wonderful...as I was really able to jump in and help...













oh yeah, and it is 80 degrees here, which has made everything seem like it is wonderful....rosey even...














On other fronts, I must give mad props to hubs this week...so, in honor of the big man, I am doing a ten reasons why list...






so, here goes, ten reasons why I love my man...

10. I love my man beacause, he will empty all the chunk-ass disgusting milk encrusted sippy cups i find shoved under couches/car seats/ blankies, and he won't gag.

9. because no matter what I do, he more or less always has this look on his face...usually in regards to how much I spent on food at Whole Foods....

8. because when Baxter eats out of the garbage that I inadvertantly probably left in a place he can get to it, he will clean up the toxic waste like it's nobodys buisness, and only laughs a little bit at me dry heaving while he does it....

7. because when I ask if he thinks we are done having kids, he still says MAYBE....hi, uhm, what planet are you ON.

6. because when our almost-about-to-be-on the verge of turning 4 years old - son, decides that he is ready to start wiping himself - READ----> uses one entire roll of toilet paper without tearing it once , fed directly into the toilet in order to do so....and I decide to "give it a shot," and flush anyway, he doesn't get mad, he nobly dons rubber gloves and scoops the nasty mess out of the potty, and can EVEN laugh about it that day with me....

5. because he helps the kids open their gifties at their parties, because I A. SUCK AT IT, and B. really SUCK at it.

4. because he is ALWAYS shocked when the littlest bean pees in his own face while he is changing him..

3. because he will watch the kids while I take a half hour long hot shower, even though I advertised it as a 5 minuter, and just can't seem to get out...

2. because at night, no matter how tired he is, he lets me "debrief," with him for hours about certain things going on in our lives that he would rather have a crazed donkey chew on his toe-nails than listen to, but he lets me anyway, than does the very best possible job trying to figure out what in the hell I am talking about when I ask him if he is listening to me...

and, not to get sappy, cuz sappy is a bore, but the #1 biggest most important reason that I love my hubs, is that he is hands down, the most amazing daddy to these beans, and most amazing hubby to me that I could ever have imagined/hoped/desired that he could be....

payback is a five letter word....and it starts with M

holy train-wreckin' over here. My big bean is putting me through the wringer. I know this crazy-ass nor'easterin weather isn't helping anybody, but jeez....
when I was - oh, say 16ish,
I was a total terror. Drove the folks crazy. Talked back, rolled my
eyes about as far into my head as they could go, partied hard, and
thought I was at the top of my game. So much so, that one day, my
father - who remains to this day, one of the calmest, and kindest
people I know, came home from work to my attitude ridden BS, and put his fist through the kitchen wall. Uh, and then I
was terrified, heart racing, adrenaline, all that jazz. I didn't get it
then, but my oh my, I get it now....

My big bean - almost 4 - is into some bad habits. talks back, screams when
he doesn't get what he wants, temper tantrums, and actually took a swat
at his big daddy yesterday...uh hello, hubs is 6''2' big bean....uhm, 3
years old. WHY, WHY, WHY. No fear, of me, the hubs, or anyone else for
that matter. SO we have been spending our time on a rotation....time
out step - time out in your room - blah, blah, blah....NO FUN, and last
night ensued the battle of a lifetime, where bean was only allowed out
of his room to eat his dinner and then go back to bed. He seemed to
finally get it though and was a barrel of "i'm sorry mommy, i'm sorry daddy, i am so mad a me, these eggs are delicious, thank you for making my dinner, i love t-bo....and, and, and" sweetness I tell yah.
So mama's, any tried and true methods for this madness? I am at wit's
end here. We have opted for the time-out go around, but I am not sure
it is working. A neighbor suggested Tabasco
on the tongue for the talking back, but I could never do that to my
children, for several reasons - A. it seems inhumane - b. a bit
abusive, c. my big bean, probably wouldn't have any tastbuds left by the time he was five....
mama's...let me know in the comments....puleasssseeeee.....

on the other hand, life here has been chock full of pj parties, movie days, popcorn snacks and lots of indoor play. where is the sun????????????

the littlest bean is amazing and smiles and coos the day away amidst the chaos...


t-bo is fighting the toddler bed, and insisting
that Benji does not need her crib, so the poor little guy is stuck in
the bassinet until she gives it up....hmmm....poor planning on my part,
must make note, kids closer than two years apart....hmmmm...


anyhow y'all, sending peace and sunshine your way, - send some my way....

Hugs, A

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!!