Our Five Ring Circus: Life Lately

Monday, June 10, 2013

Life Lately

*Summer vacation is in full swing!  At this very moment, Lexie and Aubrey are playing in a fort under my dining room table, and Dylan and Lily are sitting in their pack and play fort.  Aubrey got here at 9:10 this morning, the big kids woke up shortly after, and Lily slept until almost 10.  I am loving the fact that we can sleep in, and enjoy quiet mornings and a less structured schedule!

*Aubrey is my great niece, and we adore her!  I watched her during the week until she was 2, then she moved away for a few years while my niece was in college.  In April, she started to get off the bus every day after school at our house and stay until her parents were done with work.  Today is her first day of summer vacation, and she will be spending the summer with us.  She is 9 months older than Lexie, and they are like sisters.  Lexie is thrilled that she will be here 5 days a week!

*I'm used to having 1 or 2 extra kids in addition to my own 3 with me, so that's why I don't even flinch at the thought of having a 4th child.  Since Lexie was born, I have regularly watched Aubrey, my best friend's 2 boys, and my best friend's sister's son. Plus, the kids' friends are frequently here.   I kind of like having a full house!  

*I'm attempting to potty train Lily.  We "officially" started today, and we're being relaxed about the whole thing.  She has gone on the potty quite a few times in the past few months.  I am hoping to have her day-trained by the time the baby gets here, so that gives me 12 weeks!

*Speaking of 12 weeks, we have a LOT to get done before the baby arrives.  Dylan and the girls are switching rooms, because his current room is bigger.  My mom is going to redecorate both rooms once they switch.  Grant's huge project is completing the basement. We have a big space down there that is perfect for a playroom and man cave!  I would love to get some new shelves for the living room, and mount the TV on the wall.  Finally, the bathroom needs a complete overhaul.  This will involve painting, wainscoting, a new vanity, and new flooring.  While I would love to redo our room and the sun porch, there is just NO possible way that we can get it all done!

*We're not taking a big vacation this summer, and I'm kind of bummed about it.  With all my preterm labor issues, it's just not wise to invest in a vacation right now.  I would hate for something to happen and us not be able to go.  A big beach vacation next summer is a MUST!

*Someone thought it was a great idea to start climbing out of her crib.  She has been able to get out of the pack and play for many months, but I was hoping the crib would last longer.  Dylan was climbing out at 12 months, and in a toddler bed by 15 months, but Lexie was in that crib until she was nearly 4!  I'm not ready for Lily to be in a bed, so I outsmarted her by turning the crib so the shorter side is against the wall. So far, so good!!!

*I love my new Traverse.  So, so much.  It comfortably fit 8 of us on a zoo trip, is perfect for my monthly Costco stock up trip.  and we fit a patio table and 5 chairs in the back of it yesterday with the middle row still in place.  I'm really glad we went with it, and at $157 a month, I really can't complain about the payment!

*Picking a boy name is impossible.  He has a list, I have a list, and we can't agree on any of them.  Just like we were with Lily.  We were arguing over the boy name as I was pushing! The middle name, Dayne, is chosen, after his father's middle name, but we can't come up with a boy name that we both love. Holden, Cohen, Maxwell, Everett, Sawyer, Preston, Callum, Mason, Andrew...just to name a few.  No worries, though.  It's probably a girl, and that name is set! Dylan has decided that no matter the name, if it's a boy, he is going to call him Luke.  End of story.

*We cut out all activities this summer.  No summer baseball, no summer gymnastics.  The only structured activity we have is weekly storytime at the library in June and July, along with a few other library events, and a weekly playdate with my group of friends.  The rest of the summer is going to be spent swimming and having fun with friends and family!  I want to be able to enjoy this summer with my kids, before all the chaos begins at the end of August!

*I want to assure everyone that baby #4 is growing perfectly!  There was some concern after my recent belly pictures, but I always carry small until the very end.  On top of that, I throw up every single day until I deliver, so the only weight I gain is the baby.  It may be hard to tell at times, but this baby feels huge already!  I'm sure he/she will deceive everyone just as his/her siblings did.  Dylan was a month early and was 7 lbs, 2 oz.  Lexie weighed in at a hefty 9 lbs 1 oz at 38 weeks, and Lily was 8 lbs, 12 oz at 39 weeks.  All 3 were estimated to weigh 1-2 lbs less than what they really were, based on the size of my belly!  While I don't want to rush the arrival of this baby, I honestly can't wait for him/her to get here.  The morning sickness, the cramping, and the constant braxton hicks contractions are taking a toll on me! Oh, the joy of hyperemesis and an irritable uterus!  The prize at the end of all this keeps me going!

*Last night, I was making Grant a sandwich for his lunch today.  While barefoot and pregnant, in the kitchen.  Of course, he had to comment on it, and follow with "That's amazing!" We're nearing our 13th wedding anniversary.  This is us.  I didn't even flinch at that comment!

10 comments:

  1. Haha, I think it's great that you can both laugh at the situation. Laughter makes everything better. I always think it's sad when people are so quick to be offended. Love, respect and laughter go hand in hand.

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  2. We have been thinking about cutting out the extra activities this Fall. I feel like we are just running from practice to this to that every night and we never get time alone at home as a family. I love all of your boy names!

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  3. I too got caught "barefoot and pregnant" in the kitchen as well! I was also sick through my pregnancy, it is not for the weak that's for sure! Hang in there! I am a new follower and I just love your blog!

    Taylor
    It's a Krazy Life

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  4. I love how Dylan has a name for the baby already :) Too cute! Can't wait to find out his or her name.

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  5. Hahah, love the barefoot and pregnant comment

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  6. How fun to have a relative so close in age. I bet Lex just loves that! Oh and we might have to chat more about your Traverse next year. We're gonna stretch out our Explorer one more winter but then want something with captain's chairs and a 3rd row. I like the Acadia but the Traverse is probably #2 on our list. Oh and I'm obviously a fan of Andrew for a boys name. ;)

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  7. I make barefoot and pregnant and in the kitchen jokes all the time to Erin. :o)
    Sounds like you guys are going to have a great summer! And extra kids just means less 'i'm bored' comments. (I think...)

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  8. I'm not barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen but I am barefoot with a baby on my hip most days!

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  9. Love that Dylan has the boy name picked out. I think you should totally go with it. Luke Dayne is cute! Love the barefoot and pregnant joke. This sounds so much like us too. I don't even listen to Jarrod any more. It's just in one ear and out the other. :-)

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  10. I'm with Dylan, I love the name Luke!!!!

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