Monday, March 29, 2010

Flag Football

My little man started flag football. He's doing his best not to tackle...he's fighting the urge as best as he can. He has only gone 2 times so far. He is a bit obsessed with his mouth piece. I am hoping that will pass. I went to watch this Saturday for the first time. I was giggling the whole time. He's so cute. I think he is the only 4 year old. The age range is 4-6. They actually have a full game with 4 10 minute quarters, a ref, the whole 9 yards. It's really cute. Kids crying left and right, running in the wrong direction...but hey, you have to start somewhere.

Big Alex is the coach (there's 2). I'm not sure who the experience is more beneficial for-him, or my son. I'm not sure what was more interesting to watch-him, or my son. Kids jumping all over him-he doesn't really take to kids too much unless they are his, or my sisters kids. Lots of patience-not one of his strong suits. sweaty little boys pulling on him and grabbing him (kind of a germ-a-phobe)-so I was happy to see how good he's doing as 'Coach Alex'.

Here are some pics.





Wednesday, March 24, 2010

This one's for you, Dad

Better late then never. Love You Dad.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Baby Love

She's here. We are in love. BellaMay Rose was born on Friday, March 19th 2010 at 6:17pm.
They inserted a pill to soften my cervix before they gave me the IV drip to start labor. I never made it to the drip. My water broke at 4:55pm, and she was here by 6:17pm. 1hr and 22 mins. She was pale and quiet. She scared me, but she snapped out of it pretty quickly, and she is so beautiful. We are home, and settled in. I feel really good and tired, but a good tired. Lovin' life. Lovin' marriage. Lovin' family. Lovin' Bella.









Thursday, March 18, 2010

The Big Day

I am heading to the hospital tomorrow to have Bella. We are so excited! Tomorrow is her actual due date, so I guess it was meant to be! We just ate dinner, and after I throw a few last minute items in my bag, I am going to get a good night sleep. Robert and I got up at 5am today, and did as much as we could to get things done so when we bring Bella home, we can just enjoy her. My mother will be here for 10 days to help. A couple of people have offered to bring us meals. I am looking forward to trying other peoples recipes!

I can't wait to meet my daughter. I pray for a healthy baby girl, and a quick delivery. 3.24 hours with Amber, and 2.12 hours with Alex. Maybe I can beat my records...I hope. Either way, tomorrow is going to be an amazing day!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

St. Patty's Day

We are Irish. My dad was all Irish. Pale, light eyes, and when he was young, that strawberry blond hair. He loved for all of us to be festive for the holiday. My Mom still wears her green every year. Amber went all out this year. They took a picture of her for the yearbook. She looked so cute.



I always pick the St. Patrick's Day party at school. Snack and drinks. Anyone who has preschoolers, enjoy homemade treats while you can, because once they hit elementary school, snacks have to be store bought only. This is what I did for Alex's class this year.


Funfetti cupcakes with green icing and sprinkles.

Bottled water featuring Spongebob with a drop of green food coloring.

It was a hit. The kids loved it! Except for Alex, because he wasn't there!!! Remember!!!! He went away and I had volunteered for the party back in September! How was I to know!

But guess who just got home? He didn't make it. He did good considering he has never been anywhere without at least one of his parents. I'm so glad to have him back! It's terrible to hear your little man pleading with you to come get him! Dad met Papa half way, and he's home sweet home.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Gone Deaf

I was thinking that I had gone deaf. Nope. It's just that my son is out of town. He went to the beach with Papa until Friday. Big kids are different, and self sufficient. No one needs me around here right now. I have more free time than I care to have. I know I will be biting my tongue soon enough for saying that, but I am just not used to no one saying..Mommy...Mom...Mom.....Mom...Mom I'm thirsty Mom I'm hungry Mom can you help me with this Mom Amber kicked me out of her room Mom I'm going poopie I'll call you when I'm done Mom do we have any errands to run today? Mom call my name and then I'll come in and dance Mom your under arrest, Mom watch this......nothing. Silence. He only left yesterday. I feel lost without him. He drives me crazy, yet I don't know how I will make it until Friday.

On the flip side, this is a perfect week for 'Mommy-Amber' alone time before the baby comes. We went to the mall and got lunch yesterday. I'm able to talk to my daughter without constant interruptions from my little man. Sometimes, it's hard for Amber to get a word in. She's getting so big and growing and changing so fast, I don't want to miss it because I'm too busy with the little ones, and take for granted that she is big and self sufficient. I don't think this could have happened at a better time. I'm looking forward to the rest of the week with her.

I know I'm not saying much in my final stretch of pregnancy, but the fact is, there's nothing much to say. She's not here, and she will come when it is time. I can't change that, or speed it up. nor do I want to. Nature will take it's course, and soon enough we will all get to see, hold, and love this long awaited baby. That's all I can say about Little Miss Bella.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

The Boss

No, not Bruce. Never been a big fan.

My kids. They are both bossy. It's in the genes. My father owned his own business, he was a boss. Big Al and Alex both own their own business. Bosses.

Alex and Amber had the same 3 year old preschool teachers. I asked them if they thought they were similar in that 'bossy' way. They said absolutely, except Alex is more organized. Probably a little OCD. Again, in the genes.

When either one of my kids are playing role play with other children, they are always the leader/boss. They never submit to being anything else. Recently, I saw Amber standing up, with a group of kids sitting down around her, following her lead. If it's school, she's the teacher. If it's role play, she's the queen, and everyone else is under her. If Alex is playing in the kitchen, he is the chef. He calls the shots, including how the kitchen is kept. He's the police man, and others are the bad guys. He is the firefighter, and he will rescue you. His teachers say he will re-word things just so he can believe in his mind that it was his idea. Today on the way home he told me his friends were aggravating him because they weren't listening to him. When I told him he's not their father, their teacher or their boss and they don't have to listen to him, he said.....But Mom, I am the boss of some things.

I know some people frown on this, but I like it. I am hoping as they get older and they grow, their boss like tendencies become leadership tendencies. I am also aware that their is a fine line between being bossy, and being a bully. I don't think they deliberately seek out submissive people so that they can control them, I think that they take control, and most of the time, they get away with it. I would love to know how to help them channel these traits properly as they get older, but I definitely think it's a good thing. Better a leader than a follower, for sure.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Living at the studio

I knew when Amber wanted to go to this particular dance studio to dance with my niece and the rest of the girls that danced there, that I was making the commitment to get her to the university area every Tuesday. Not a huge sacrifice considering that we now get to eat dinner and spend time with my sister and her family, and my mother once a week. Alex gets to hang out with little Joe, and Tuesday has become his favorite day. Now that we are nearing our first competition, Tuesday has become Saturday, Monday, Tuesday....and whatever else may be necessary. At any other time in my life-so be it. My daughter loves what she is doing, and loves to be a part of a team, and all parents do these things for their kids. I have to say though it's rough at 9 months pregnant. A 2 hour rehearsal easily becomes a 3 1/2 our rehearsal with the drive. I'm old. I'm cranky. I'm tired. I don't want to pass this off on family or friends because I really want to enjoy this season of Amber's life with her, but there are definitely times that I would much rather lay down and take a nap. We are so excited for this performance on Saturday. I think Amber is going to do great! Her confidence on the stage is growing, and she is so happy to be a part of this team, which makes it all worth it. I am so proud of her. She is so beautiful.



Thursday, March 4, 2010

I can't wait....

I can't wait to meet my daughter. My husband and I are very different in skin tone, eye color and features, so the suspense is killing me!

I can't wait to wear pants with a zipper.

I can't wait to stop playing the waiting game. I am working 15 hours a week, and frankly, I'm bored to death. I know I won't be bored once Bella comes.

I can't wait to see Amber's first competition on Saturday the 13th. Hopefully!

I can't wait to watch my son start flag football on the 20th. Hopefully!

I can't wait to NOT be pregnant! I don't like it!

I can't wait to be flooded with visitors at the hospital to meet my new baby girl. (hint hint)

I can't wait to see Bella in lots of Amber's baby clothes that I saved.

I can't wait to start working out regularly, and I'm actually looking forward to giving up all the junk I have been eating!

I can't wait to see my husband with his first baby girl.

I can't wait for the smell of 'baby'.

I can't wait for our first family vacation to the beach in July.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for our future.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Bella's Place

This is Bella's Place. Robert and I are so happy with the way it turned out.

For some time we were racking our brains...where will we put Bella? What will we do with this baby? We have to move! We have to move now! So the plan was to move in May. Then I kept hearing in my head.."Work with what you've got. Don't long for something more, or better, or bigger, make the best of what you have." I thought to myself, if we move in May, that will be probably a month or so of packing, moving, and unpacking. All so a child that can fit in my arm could have her own room. It sounds foolish as I write it. To miss a whole month of her infant life being distracted by boxes and paint and disarray.....for what? So I can feel better about the fact that this little peanut would have a 'nursery'? Nah. Never mind. The plans got squashed. We will move when the time is right for our entire family. Not so we can say....look at our new place that's a perfect size for all of us. That's not what matters. So we decided to make a beautiful space in our room for Bella. I Painted the wall, and Robert put up all of the wall art.

The bassinet you see, I put my first born child in to sleep every night almost 12 years ago. Then my sister put her now 10 year old baby girl in it every night to sleep as well. Now it's Bella's turn. She will come home in the same hand knit sweater that Amber came home in from the hospital back in May of 1998. Those are the things that are important. Those are the memories that we would like to make for our daughter. Not to mention, it came out absolutely beautiful!