I’m here to help you. So, if you need a new small appliance in your house, I will tell you how to achieve that goal.

Start by planning to do something special for your husband. This may sound simple, but I bought my man some hard taco shells. I am not a huge fan, so when we have tacos we either have taco salad or soft tacos. I decided to get him a pack of hard tacos. I know, I’m so sweet.

While I was fixing dinner, he came in. I showed him my surprise. He was happy about it and told me he had to bake them. (I didn’t know this bit of info.) He put them in our toaster oven while we sat down to eat. After a few minutes we heard a little click. He stood up to check on the taco shells. He says he saw orange and only orange. What do you do when there is a fire in your toaster oven? We didn’t know either. When he opened it up the flames got higher. Bad decision. We had to get it out of the house. He carried it (with hot pads) out the back door. Thankfully, it was raining out. Before he put out the fire he said, “You wanna get a picture?” Oh yeah, I thought, great idea!

There’s my toaster! A wedding present on fire!

And there’s my man, putting out the fire!

The toaster sat out there all night…it was raining, after all.

Saturday morning we headed out to buy a new toaster oven. Let me just say, it’s more fun to register for one and let someone else buy it. Oh well. We have a new toaster oven. Our house is still standing, and we had some important discussions about what we would do if our house were to catch on fire.
Not something I wish to relive again, though! So, actually, if you need a new small appliance, just go buy it. Don’t do it my way.

What a gorgeous weekend here in the northeast! It was close to 80 and sunny. The leaves are changing. Ahh…my favorite time of year. We stayed pretty busy but also had some downtime at home.

• First, my Clemson Tigers won! What a great team this year! I’m hoping the QB’s injuries aren’t too bad and he’ll be back soon.
• Yesterday, the Patriots also won…against the Jets! Yay, yay, yay! I love football season. I think it’s kind of funny because I remember sitting with friends in high school asking question after question about the rules. I still don’t get it all, but I’ve come to love football season!
  
  Buddy loves it, too!
• We went apple picking Saturday. We got a great deal online…1/2 a bushel and 1/2 a gallon of cider for $10. We didn’t realize how many apples are in 1/2 a bushel! I have a lot of baking and freezing to do this week!
  
• Friday evening we walked to our neighborhood farmers’ market. It was the last one of the season (so sad, it’s our favorite weekly event). Baby Girl made a craft, we bought a pumpkin swirl bread (YUM), and wood-fired pizza for dinner. We have enjoyed every visit to the farmers’ market this year and look forward to next summer!
  Maybe this isn’t the greatest picture, but I captured it on our walk home from the farmers’ market. Baby Girl loves to see hot air balloons and the moon…they were right near each other! She was pretty excited!
• We walked a lot this weekend…to the park, to the library, to the farmers’ market. I’m going to miss this come winter!Happy Fall! I hope you all enjoyed your weekend, too!

Actually, it’s closer to 3 1/2 months; what can I say? I’ve been stretched thin lately. I had a nice post all planned out in my head. Then we went down to help my parents move. The rest, as they say, is history.
But my Buddy is 3 months old! And I wanted to celebrate that we’ve all made it!

Becoming a family of four was a big adjustment for us. Baby Girl and I had gotten into our routine. We’d talk, play, shop, etc every day. Then came this little baby who wouldn’t let us do those things like we used to. I was used to sleeping. That definitely wasn’t happening with this guy. But slowly, we’re discovering our new normal. And it isn’t such a bad thing.

Buddy, you are a blessing! You’re always smiling and laughing. You have a scratchy-throat laugh. I love it! When I think back to those first 6 weeks when you cried constantly because you were in pain, I rejoice. You truly are a different baby. You’re happy. You’re strong. You’re not in pain.

You love your sister. You watch everything she does. Yesterday she was running circles around you…literally…and you kept moving your head back and forth to catch her every time she came around.
Your sister loves you. The other day in the car you were crying and she kept telling you, “It’s okay, Big Guy, we’ll be at Micah and Alissa’s house soon. You’ll be okay.” She finds your teething toys (yes, you’re teething!) and sticks them in your mouth for you. She is constantly telling you, “I love you!” (and then she says, “Say, ‘I love you, too.’”)

You enjoy tummy time, which is so different from your sister. She would scream the whole time. You want to roll over, but haven’t quite figured out how. The Bumbo usage is pretty much over because you try to fling yourself out the back of it. I blame your sister for teaching you that trick. One of these days you’re going to flip your bouncy seat, too. Where am I going to put you when I need to do the laundry or make lunch?
These last three months have been hard. Not just because you joined us; there’s been so much more going on. But I have you. Even when I’m still in pain from your delivery, I look at your smile and it is worth it. I love you, Buddy!

Now, let’s discuss that sleeping-through-the-night thing….

I’ve slept one hour since 3 am. Seems like a good time to look on the positive side of things, right?

• Okay, I can’t help it. I am mentioning my bed. I love this weather right now…warm during the day, cool at night. I love it because there is nothing I love more than cuddling up in my blankets on my bed. Ahhh…. Too bad I have to get out of bed several times a night still. Hopefully by winter I’ll be enjoying my bed for much longer stretches of time.
  (My mom made this blanket. It’s one of my favorites.)
• Family days
  Yesterday we enjoyed the morning at the fair. Really, a fair is an over-priced, money-stealing place. But we get free tickets and only buy one or two food items. Having a little one does make it more worth it; she loves the animals! And by seeing all of the animals and getting our card punched, we got a free ice cream! Yay!
  
• Apple cider donuts
  Yes, they are out already! I eat way too many donuts this time of year, but it has to last me all winter, spring, and summer!
  
• An evening run…  all by myself, just my ipod and me. Then there’s the feeling when I get back, all sweating and tired, but knowing I accomplished something and cleared my head.
  

Whew! It’s been a busy 2 1/2 weeks for my little family! We left home on the 11th at 4:45 am. After a short stop at a friend’s house, we continued on to Ohio. Truthfully, the trip was wonderful. I will admit that I was terrified to go on a road trip with a 7-week-old and a 2 1/2 year old. We had a great trip, though. Buddy was an angel and Baby Girl complained once in the entire two weeks we were gone. I attribute some of this to the fact that we had a minivan for the trip. It’s also because Baby Girl is flexible, which is wonderful!
After spending 6 days in Ohio, we left for my parents’ house in Connecticut. Another good day of driving. We got there Thursday night to an empty house. My parents were still in Alaska. Our little family enjoyed a quiet family day on Friday. Saturday my man flew to a conference in West Virginia. My parents got home late Saturday night. We spent the rest of the week enjoying my parents. We went to the beach, the mall, the playground, and to Old Sturbridge Village. I was also able to meet up with a friend from high school (who is due to have her baby any time…hopefully not during a hurricane).
The CT part of the trip wasn’t all fun and games. First, I was parenting alone. I had my parents, but middle of the night stuff fell solely to me. Discipline was my job. Even with grandparent help, being the only parent to two little ones is exhausting. Buddy has been sleeping so well, but even with more sleep I was ready to crash by 9 every night. That being said, I can’t imagine my children behaving any better. Buddy let Nani and Papa cuddle him. Baby Girl played so well alone and with others. Both kids were once again flexible. We skipped naps, drove everywhere, and messed up all schedules. They did great! Thankfully!

Here are a few pictures of our adventures.

What a wonderful vacation! Now, to get back to reality…doing dishes? cooking dinner? Oh my! This might take some work.

I told you I’d post again soon and I just didn’t do it. I wish I could explain how busy we’ve been. Well, I could explain it, but we spent the day at the beach and then church. I just watched the Red Sox crush Texas, and now I am in bed falling asleep as I type. We’ll be in touch….
Nitey-nite!

This morning I’ve been sitting here thing about what is making me happy right now. I thought I’d link up with Rachel’s blog and share my list.

1. a new van with DVD players
makes long trips much easier (not to mention gives us more space since my man and I tend to overpack…always)

2. technology to keep in touch with my parents while they’re cruising around Alaska
It will almost be like I’m with them. Okay, no it won’t, not at all. But I am glad to be able to keep in touch with them.

3. cuddling with my kids

4. having long conversations with Baby Girl
This morning we discussed flying on “airpanes”, waking up Grandma and Grandpa (so disappointed that they were already awake), and going on a boat

5. a snoring baby…cutest noise ever!

6. Getting to see a close friend…TONIGHT! It’s been 8 months, which is just simply too long.

7. Shopping at Target

It’s Monday.  Here are my random thoughts for the day.

1. If you need a laugh (and everyone can use a good laugh), read this post. I’ve heard most of them before, but I still laughed. Sometimes kids are smarter than we realize.

2. My parents are selling the house I grew up in and moving away. I’m sad. I am spending a week with them in August and I’m not sure I’m going to make it one day without dissolving into tears. Change is hard.

3. I have two of the cutest kids on the planet. My baby is chubbing up and I love it! I apparently make chubby babies, which is such a cute thing! I would post a picture, except I’m two lazy to get up and put the pictures on my computer. Someday….

4. A lady from church came over this morning. She watched Baby Girl while I ran to the grocery store with the little man. Then she played with Baby Girl while baby and I slept. Ahhh…heavenly! I appreciate her so much!

5. Last night we had friends over and it was so nice! One of the hardest things about having a new baby (for me anyways) is that I’m supposed to stay home and rest. I want to go all the time! It’s been hard, but I think I’ve learned to sit when I’m tired. Anyway, it was WONDERFUL to have my house full of people last night.

6. Tonight we’re starting our new car search. I despise car salesmen…maybe I should say I despise their gimmicks. My man has already talked to me about it. We have decided that any serious negotiating will be done without me. I love my man! He knows just what I need (or don’t need). We may walk away with a minivan. Yes, I’m going to be one of those moms. Pretty sure I’ll look more like my almost 30 years when I get out of a minivan. Oh well. It’s got the space we want.

7. Speaking of the things kids say (see #1), I’ve had some of the funniest discussions of my life with my 2-yr-old, especially regarding breastfeeding. Oh boy. I never thought I’d have these talks until she was MUCH older. I really do need to share them.

7. The house is quiet. I’ve had my cookie and caffeine-free Pepsi. I’m going to nap…again. Nite!

Yesterday I told you about my friend, the resident. It’s only fitting that today I tell you about my night nurse. Would you believe I only had 2 repeat nurses over my four day stay? One of them was my night nurse; I had her all 3 nights. What a blessing.

By the time I got down to my room (at this hospital we get to leave a gorgeous delivery room for a less-than-gorgeous recovery room; however, I know people, so I had a private room…bonus!) it was around 9:30. After I ate, relaxed, and came down off of the adrenaline rush, it was around 11. Enter night nurse. She didn’t speak English very well. I know that doesn’t mean she isn’t qualified, but I was really having a hard time understanding her. It was a little frustrating. I was exhausted, so I didn’t have the energy to translate and then process what I was being told. (Warning: this post may have way too much information for you, just to let you know.)
Up to this point I hadn’t been able to go to the bathroom. I had this problem with Baby Girl. Blessings. Around 1, the night nurse said she would put a catheter in for me. She came in and turned on the florescent lights. Little Man did not like that, nor did I, it was the middle of the night. She turned that one off and said she would use a flashlight. Okaaaaayyyy.
Her fellow nurse (who by the way, also didn’t speak great English) came in to assist her by holding the flashlight. As they worked I heard things like, “No, not that hole.” Umm…what are you people doing? Needless to say, I was sobbing from the pain and they never even looked my way. Finally I sat up and said, “No. You’re done. I will just go to the bathroom on my own.” I totally realized this was unlikely, but in the middle of the pain and cries I wasn’t up for what they were doing. I went to the bathroom and brought my cell phone. Gross? Maybe, but my man was home that night. I woke him up sobbing and explaining why I needed him. He suggested that I find someone else to put my catheter in. I went back to my room and told the nurse, “Please find another nurse to do the cath.” She was accommodating at this point. She must have realized that she stunk at that job. Within 10 minutes a wonderful, caring, and dare I say, competent nurse came in. The procedure was taken care of within minutes. All the while she talked to me, asked me questions, and told me she was sorry if it hurt. Now that is what I consider good bedside manners.
I did notice over the next few nights the night nurse got better, sweeter. By her last night she was bringing me huge bags of things that I don’t think they usually just give away…breast pump supplies, pacifiers, and extra creams and stuff. Maybe she felt badly for the first night? Also, my man stayed with me the next two nights. I couldn’t risk being alone again.
Overall, I had great nurses, but yikes, this one ’bout did me in. I don’t often stand up for myself like I did, but you know what? It felt pretty good (once I stopped crying from the pain).
Did I mention I’m glad to be home?

I am now 41 weeks and 1 day. So, here’s what I want to know: how big do you think this guy will be? Baby Girl was 7lbs. 13 oz. at 41 weeks and 1 day. They say they get bigger….

So, what do you think? (If you say anything over 10 lbs, I’ll hunt you down!)