Mommy's Moment...Again:More Changes to Come

So, with baby on the way, it's time for yet another transition. This time, Grant will be moving out of the nursery and into a big boy bed. Hannah and Grant will soon become bunk mates. With the new move must come new changes. I can't hardly make Grant move into a pink and green room. So another makeover is on its way. And it's not without some work. Neutral bedding is most impossible to find. Aren't there other families out there with boy/girl rooms? But finally, I stumbled upon this. I love it. And it's not expensive. I'll need two. Hannah's bedding will be put away and I'm sure pulled out again later. This screams fun and neutral. We already have Grant's big boy bed thanks to the IKEA gift card I got awhile back from doing an online offer. Other than paint, two ceiling tiles (for artwork over their beds), this will be the only cost into the makeover. The nursery, will, as always, remain unchanged. I will be sad when one day we have to say goodbye to the nursery. It is honestly my favorite room in the house. I hope the baby has similar sentiments! I've been trying to earn Swagbucks to put toward this bedding. However, they're slow coming lately. I did earn enough Swagbucks to get Grant's $50 birthday present for FREE. I'll post more on that later. And, hopefully, within the next couple of months we'll have a finished product for the new brother/sister room. Stay tuned!

Mommy's Moment: And Baby Makes Five

Yes folks, we are pregnant. 9 1/2 weeks. It was a bumpy road to start but the Lord has blessed us with what looks to be, thus far, a healthy baby. Little squirt should arrive around October 23rd...so the doctors say. We have had FOUR, yes FOUR, ultrasounds due to some minor complications. But, the last three I have seen the sweet comfort of a rapidly beating heart. Though we're never "out of the woods" I can rest peacefully in knowing that NOW, at this moment, we have a healthy child. So we are excited. Hannah is convinced it is a girl. She already has offered to get her "little sister" a very small pair of Crocs, to hold her, to let her sleep in her bed, to feed her, and to let her wear a large array of her clothes. Needless to say, she is highly anticipating "her" arrival. Should it be a boy? Well, we've tried to prep her for that possibility, to which she often replies, "no, she's a gurl." Oh well. We'll take it a day at a time. For now, I am simply grateful for this little life inside of me. And, I try to remind myself through the tiredness, nausea, and headaches, that these are all healthy signs of a normal pregnancy and for that I should be thankful. So, here we go again....

Did We Tell You It Snowed?

Okay, so that's no new news for you. But, we have to post pictures from our biggest snow yet! We were so excited we got to share our snow with Grandma (when know she was too!) We made a snowman. It could have been bigger. Way bigger. But the snow the next morning was too soft and really, we just weren't willing to work too hard to make another. What's worth noting the most here? Our clothes. You can tell if you're from the south if your little brother is wearing his sister's boots. Our mittens: scored at the dollar section in Target. Grant's hat: borrowed from our friend, Nolan. My hat? The hood of my jacket. Mommy's gloves? (though she's not pictured, she has none nor does she have a hat or boots). We are misfits, clad in a hodge podge of clothes we gathered around the house to make this snow an experience to remember! Stay tuned for more snow fun as these misfits really take to the snow!

Valentine A'Makin

Yeah, yeah, we know Valetine's Day was OVER a month ago. But this post is fitting because I'm still asking Mommy if we can make Valentines for (you fill in the blank). Most recently I have asked to make a Valentine for Papa, Maggie, Strider (the dog behind us), and Daddy. Unfortunately, because Mommy has been under the weather, we haven't gotten the chance to do so. But I'll remeniece through these pictures. My favorite part was using the big girl glue. Grant's too. We know, we know, Grant is too young to use it but how can you tell a fella no when everyone else is using it? He just didn't realize the cap wasn't opened. Works like a charm. Oh yes, and there's the duck costume that makes any Valentine creation that much more fun. Put on a duck costume and you can't help but enjoy life just a little bit more. If you didn't receive a Valentine from us, but would like to next year, just leave a message. It will give me a great excuse to get started early, you know, just in case I get a lot of orders!

Tunnel (and tent) Fun

It's been cold lately. A little too cold for our liking. We're a bit stir crazy. But, thanks to Grandmama and Grandaddy, we can have a little bit of outdoor fun, indoors. Yep. Enter, the tunnels. And the tent. Who doesn't love to crawl through tunnels into the secret tent hideout? You're no friend of mine if you don't. I'm quite the tunnel fan. In fact, I get visibly upset when it's time to put them away. Will I see them again? Is this the end to my tunnel fun? Thankfully, they do get pulled out again....and again....and again. Mommy had the idea of rolling down our back hill in them once it gets warmer. Ahhh, now you're talkin'. When it comes to tunnels, you're guaranteed some good ole fun!

Ar-teests...well Ar-teest

I've found my calling. It's painting. The medium: watercolor. In fact, I just painted my first masterpiece yesterday. Mommy took a picture of it and we'll post it, oh, in three weeks! That's how far behind we are here! This was mine and Grant's first experience with watercolors. Grant wasn't as big of a fan as I was. But, let's face it, he's just not artistically inclined. He got more paint on his hands and mouth than he did on the paper. Grant, stick to throwing balls. That's your thing. This, this, is mine. I find it relaxing. Maybe it's the water part. I don't know. But I find I can relax as I paint what comes to mind. I'll be taking orders starting next week, however, I understand if you'd first like to see some of my work. That will be posted as soon as possible. Until then, start saving your pennies because I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Mommy's Moment

Pure joy.

Who's Bad?

And...while I enjoy the occasional purse and princess chapstick...I really enjoy these super awesome purple shades. I put them on and say, "coo," that's my way of sayin' cool.

Who's bad? (said in the rhythm of M.J.)

What are You Lookin' At?

So I'm secure in my manhood. I can carry a purse and princess chapstick. Honestly, I just like to eat the chapstick. As for the purse, well it's practical for carrying things like my trucks and stuff. I ain't skeerd. No. Because I'm also all boy. I play with my cars and trucks. They race down ramps and hit things. I have a good arm. I'll be a baseball pitcher one day. And I love to climb. So don't question my manhood when you see me racing my cars with one arm while the other arm clinches tightly to a purse (since this post as been written Mommy has banned me from the chapstick under the assumption that eating chapstick can't be healthy for one's body).

Happy Saturday

Happy Saturday Everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the warm weather today as much as we did! We played so much outside that we actually got a little sunburned! I can't wait for spring!

Love,

Hannah

Big Kid Swing Material

Mommy and Daddy were going to get me a bucket swing. A bucket swing? Do you think I'm that little? I had to take matters into my own hands, and fast. I had to prove to them that I was big kid swing material. And I am...just look at me. Cool as a cucumber. No fear, no worries. Just me and the sweet breeze in my hair. Big Kid Swing Material. That's me.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Hannah is a great role model. She teaches me so much. She showed me how to brush my teeth, how to swirl my toothbrush in the toilet, how to hide behind the shower curtain, and how to jump on the bed. And now, this. It's a humorous activity where one places his (or her) hand repeatedly over his (or her) mouth while saying "ahh." It got me laughing so hard. Boy am I lucky to have such a talented and wise sister.

Mommy's Moment: Swagbucks

So, it's been awhile since I've posted anything about Swagbucks but that doesn't mean we haven't been using them! John's birthday was last month and I found a GREAT deal on a Norelco shaver (for lack of a better word). It was marked close to 80% off, costing around $40. I had about $20 in Swagbucks so I put it toward this, leaving me to pay only $20! And then, John used about $15 more Swagbucks a few weeks later to buy a seat organizer for his truck for work. It's pictured above. So now what am I saving up for? Well, Grant's birthday is in May. I already snagged a Geotrax starter set for $14 at an After Thanksgiving Sale (well actually Ashley did for me). Now I'm just looking to add one more piece to that for his birthday. I plan to pay $0 out of pocket for this.

For those of you who have forgotten (yeah right), Swagbucks is a search engine that allows you to win Swagbucks every few searches. Then, you can trade these in for prizes. I trade mine in for Amazon gift cards. Every 45 Swagbucks translates to a $5 Amazon gift card. I've earned at least $300 through this. And all I do is search the internet with them! It helps to have people sign up under you. For every person who signs up under you, you earn up to 100 points of their's. So, if you haven't signed up and are looking for a way to make a bit of extra money...sign up by clicking the button below. It's really worth it and it has helped our family a lot! I bought almost all of my kids' Christmas gifts with Swagbucks last year. I only ended up spending $20 out of pocket for their Christmas. So, there you have it, another Swagbucks post!

Cupcake Time!

Cupcakes anyone? Sorry, it's too late. We ate um. But did you know we made them too? We were the chefs, aprons and all. It was a messy job. The messiest (and most fun) part was licking the beaters. . .and spoon. Well, then came eating them after our lunch. That got messy as well. But they were oh so yummy. Next time, we'll be sure to save you some.

Happy Guy

Usually I'm a pretty happy guy. Perhaps that's why Mommy likes to take so many pictures of me. I don't think I'll fall into the second child syndrome when it comes to having fewer pictures of me. Nope. Mommy still snaps away with me. What can I say, I make a good model. I mean, just look at me here. I've got my preppy look going. I'm magazine ready. And, that's what Mommy was hoping for when taking these shots. She was going to enter me into the Beautiful Baby contest on Regis and Kelly. However, we never got a picture posted. But at least Mommy has a zillion shots of me for the scrapbook. By the way Mommy, how's that scrapbook coming? I see Hannah has two books full. I think last time I checked the only pictures you had of me in the scrapbook were from when I was INSIDE your belly. Mommy, that was two years ago. A lot has happened since then you know? Oh well. I can dream I suppose. At least we have the blog. Hopefully it will still be accessible when I am 40 and have a family of my own perhaps. I'll direct them here. Hopefully they'll be computer savvy.

A Hodge Podge

Some things I'd like to say:

1) Ada is my "fwend." Now that baby John is born I hear Ada won't be coming around as much. This makes me sad. I may have to make other arrangments.

2) I love chicken nuggets. Almost every day I ask Mommy or Daddy "can we have 'fwench fwies' and chicken nuggets."

3) Ada doesn't like pickles.

4) I'm learning how to catch the butterflies in my Elefun game. Thanks again Uncle Daniel and Aunt Dani.

5) Grant does like wearing crowns regardless of what he says. A picture is worth a thousand words buddy.

6) While Ada and I enjoy to be dazzling beautiful in our princess dresses, we also enjoy some serious car garage racing.

Pensive and Boogers

Call me introspective. I love to ponder. In fact, I'm known to lay in my bed wide awake, quiet. It's my most pensive time. I am not known to holler out when I awake from my slumber. Nope. I just lay there. It's my think time. I ponder things such as what will I become when I grow up or why is Hannah so small and even some more weighty issues like why is there world hunger.

On another note, my new favorite word is "boogey." In fact I've found my finger to fit nicely in those two holes in my nose. And, if I'm lucky, when I pull it out there is a prize. I have been told not to put the prize in my mouth. Okay, I've been told not to put my fingers in my nose, but come on...it fits perfectly. How can I not? But even Hannah has advised against this. Come on, really Hannah? I've seen you try it. And I know about the booger shrine on your wall next to your bed. Don't be a hypocrite. And why, you ask, am I bringing this disgusting, repulsive issue up? Well, because it's life, and that's what this blog is about. And because as I sit and type I see two very prominent "boogeys" in my top picture and it's so tempting.

Mr. Organizer

Mommy thinks I'll be a neat freak. Perhaps even a little OCD. As mentioned before, I prefer no lights to be left on when leaving a room. I also prefer all tvs, radios, and other electronic devices turned off as well. I don't like anything like crumbs or stickiness on my hands. And I'm pretty dependable when it comes to picking up toys when Mommy asks (perhaps this has more to do with the my past stubborn defiance that created immense heartache, eventually leading to obedience. I wish not to return there again). Another hobby of mine involves taking out the bottles and boxes in the pantry. Then, after careful observance of each item, I return them back to an orderly position. I think I can make a pretty good bag boy at a grocery store. There's a Curious George episode on that. It's awesome. Who knows. But I do know I really enjoy this activity and so does Mommy because it gives her time to get supper ready without me hanging on her leg (I tend to do that a lot).

P.S. Yes, we have A LOT of mustard. And would you believe Mommy actually MADE money off this mustard? Next cookout, we've got the mustard.