Happy Birthday to My Little Man!

It is hard to believe a year has gone by since we welcomed our Little Man into the family!  We celebrated, Cupcake Style, just like we did for Mags 1st Birthday!

Marley Lilly Giveaway

Marley Lilly is an amazing monogram company.  I love this stuff!  They have something for everyone and it is all so reasonably priced.  Greatness right now is they are having a giveaway for a $100 gift certificate!  Oh the things I could buy...

Hoppy Easter

For Maggie's Easter egg hunt at school, I wanted a cute outfit without having her be in something expensive. So I made it.

I've gotten on a sewing kick lately.  However, the bravery hasn't carried over to using the embroidery function yet.  I've been free handing everything and doing OK at it.  The laptop that is use isn't wireless so I haven't hauled it to the modem so I can connect- maybe this weekend.  :) 

The hairbow was actually quite easy to make.  I got the directions from Tip Junkie.  My applique knowledge came from My Happy, Crazy Life.  I love Google. 

The rest of Easter...

My Favorite Boys

My first son (a furry one) and my favorite son.

Yes, the kid is over 13 lbs and the cat is still BIGGER!

Feeling Crafty in the Kids Rooms

I love to make crafts, used to have a LOT of time for it.  Not so much lately.  But it seems every time I have a baby I get the desire and find the time.  Also,  I am tired of paying for things and thinking-  "I can do that".  So here's what I have been up to lately...

Maggie moved to a BIG girl room in July.  It has slowly been coming together.  We had a couple of wicker pieces so our goal is a girly, white wicker room.  I wanted somewhere to put all her dress up clothes and a trunk we had seemed perfect but it needed a little help. 

 I had to order new curtains with the room change (went from 1 window to 2), so I put the old ones to good use and made a cushion for the top of the trunk. 

We moved the name that had been above her crib to above her bed too.  My mom and I made them before she was born.  Slipped a little team spirit in there too...

Unfortunately, I couldn't think of anything to glamorous to do for Trey.  Hubby kept telling me my ideas were girly.  So his is rather plain, or shall I say masculine.

Homemade Drain Cleaner

Our shower drain is forever becoming slow or clogging.  I swear it seems like we are putting Drano or the like down it constantly.  Besides the fact that stuff stinks, it is expensive and not the most earth friendly product.  So when the drain started to show signs of becoming slow again, I went in search of a more friendly cleaner and came across a vinegar recipe.  Yes, I know, vinegar is the wonder substance.

Recipe:
Put 3/4 C baking soda, dry, in the drain.  Pour about 1/2 C vinegar in the drain.  Cover with a rag or stopper.  It will make a volcano effect that you want to keep in the drain.  Boil some water while waiting 30 minutes.  Pour HOT water down the drain slowly.  Plunge as needed.

I didn't measure the amounts, and didn't have a rag or stopper I wanted to put in the shower.  The shower floor was dry so I stuck press 'n seal down.  I am also impatient- I really wanted to go ahead and shower so I only waited about 10-15 minutes.  I must say, I am impressed with the results.  I believe I will do it again in a couple days to get things nice and clean but I believe this will be my go-to method for drain clogs now!

Now I just need to find that site again that tells you how to clean your dishwasher...

We survived!



Getting kisses from my big sister!



We survived!  We have Christmased with everyone- my family, Bucky's family, the great-grandma, everyone.  Now things are finally calming down and I realized I never posted pictures of Trey.  So this is going to be just a quick catchup of the last month.

Brand new...

Ready to go home!

Merry Christmas! 
(The front of our card this year!)

Just hanging out!

He's here!

He has arrived... All 8 lbs 11 oz! His size was a little shocking to all involved, it was 2 lbs more than his sister but he is a healthy happy bundle of joy. More to come when I get sprung from the hospital...

The Chosen Date

We have finally scheduled a date, Nov. 28. It is nice to know there is an end in sight, as the awful heartburn has returned and I am exhausted, however it has also caused me to begin panicking. School is very hectic, as we prepare from a visit from the Palmetto's Finest committee (a visit is an honor in and of itself), have 2nd grade testing, Veteran's Day, American Education Week, and of course the upcoming holidays.

Daily I am questioning my decision to schedule our date a week later than the doc recommends. I want so badly to let nature plan babys arrival and not have it controlled by humans, but at the same time I don't want to do anything to place myself or the baby in a place of risk. For every good story you find about VBAC, there is one not successful story. I'd rather avoid surgery again but it is not in my hands. Everything happens for a reason, His reasons, and I need to just place it all in his hands. Much easier to say then do, praying daily for the strength and confidence to do so.

Chosing a Birthday?

Feel free to share your honest thoughts and opinions...

When I went to the doc on Tuesday, she said "We'll choose a birthday at your next appointment."  While she is checking for a heartbeat, I am mulling over this statement.  (I am a list maker, a planner- I can't just make a decision like this in 2 weeks without some thought time!)  So, I asked, what she was thinking, that I needed an idea so I could think about it all before that appointment.  Her response is that the hospital doesn't like to do elective C-sections before 39 weeks, so the Monday before my due date.  You mean, the Monday before Thanksgiving?!?!  Who wants to be in the hospital for Thanksgiving?!  She says we could do it Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of that week.  Ugh.

I knew we were looking at another C-section but I would rather not.  I had really hoped that we wouldn't have to go that route.  I get so mad at myself about trying to control Maggie's arrival by inducing and ending up with a C-section that I really wanted to just let nature take its course.  And again- who wants to be in the hospital for Thanksgiving?!?  Or have just been released?!?  I think I am going to push for holding off until the Monday after Thanksgiving- my actual due date. 

Is that reasonable?  Or risky? 

Hanging in there...

With a little less than 10 weeks to go, we are hanging in there!  Baby is growing well, no concerns.  I have been blessed both times to have a stress free pregnancy (besides the self induced stress of trying not to throw up constantly in the beginning).  He is growing well and has a strong heartrate.  He loves to move all over the place when I am ready to sleep and stays  quiet all day when I am moving- go figure.  He finally quit hiding from the doc when she checks his heartrate.  I have a feeling we have another strong willed little personality on our hands. 

I will say, I am pooped.  By Fridays, I am struggling to stay awake and bless poor Bucky, I conk out most nights as soon as Maggie is in bed, if not before her.  Bucky has been terrific!  I have gotten VERY slack around the house and he has picked up my slack and never complained.  I need to get motivated but I'd rather be napping! 

Britt gets married at the Biltmore Oct. 22 so hopefully once that is done, we can slow down some!

Reading with Cooper

My grandmother is a Hallmark addict.  My family sends cards for EVERYTHING, I really think we are the sole supporter of the card industry. Anyway, every now and then one of us comes across something really neat that Hallmark has done.  Maggie has a couple of the recordable books, Grandma and Meme both get to read to her and she loves it.  Those are neat, but the thing she absolutely adores is.... Cooper. 

Cooper has 3 books that you can read with him and he responds to various parts.  Maggie really enjoys the Bedtime Book, she likes to tell him "go to bed!" and he responds with "but I'm not tired."  I didn't realize until today though, that Cooper has a friend named Abigail.  Hmmm... we may be supporting Hallmark some more!

Team BLUE!

For the first time in 5 generations on my side of the family... there will be a BOY!!  My mother is finding it hilarious, she keeps telling me she is glad it is me and not her.  I am sure she'll be alot of help in the future.  I am excited about not only the new adventure of a baby but of a baby boy.  Bucky just keeps saying it is going to be expensive.  Of course, all our stuff is pink, give or take a couple of white onesies.  :)  I am now on a hunt for boy bedding and clothes without breaking the bank.  Let me know if you want to clean out or have a lead on something!

Swing Set

Mom called a while ago and said that Costco had a great swing set on sale.  We looked and wanted it BAD!  Only problem, we have NO Costco around.  I sent Mom and Dad to the one by them in VA but the 6 boxes were too big for my Dad's car.  So....  I worked on Bucky for a while and finally convinced him to drive to Charleston and go to Costco.

We called before we left and they had 7 in stock.  We drove and ate lunch and bought the LAST one!  I can only imagine what the car ride home would have been like if there wasn't one in stock.  Our yard is strange so it has taken some major rearranging to find a spot to build the swing set.  We started this weekend and in 3 hours, got a bench and a rock wall/ladder built.  This going to take awhile.  To check out what the final product will look like go to:  http://www.cedarsummitplay.com/.  

Quick Update

I know I have been MIA for a little while so here is a quick update of our chaos:

1-  We are potty trained except for a night.  She is dry most mornings, I have haven't been brave enough to say good-bye to the pullups at night yet (nor do I want to tackle wet sheets in the a.m. yet)

2- The closet is done!! Yeah!!  We even had space left over to clean out the guest room closet and put everything in our own closet!  Now we just have to work on the carpet....

3-  Maggie will tell you she didn't get any Valentine's because the trash truck ran over our mailbox.  Hmm.... not quite possible without hitting the house so you decide the truth here.

4-  We got in 3 day a week 3K!!  A big thanks to our friend Dana who is going to help us out with transportation!!

5-  So much is going on, I started with a whole list of like 10 things in my head and now I can't even remember 5!

Groundhog Day

I know... it's like a week late but I needed to share the following link.  Not that I tend to be a downer but I gave up on this one a couple of freezing years ago...

Groundhog Facts You Didn't Know

1. Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow 97 times, has not seen it 15 times, and nine years are unaccounted for.

2. The National Climatic Data Center reportedly stated that Phil's prediction's have been correct 39 percent of the time. This number is in conflict with Phil's club, which states he's been right 100 percent of the time.

3. According to the funny website groundhog.org, there's a legend that during Prohibition, Phil threatened to impose 60 weeks of winter on the community if he wasn't allowed a drink.
4. In the years following the release of Groundhog Day, a 1993 film starring Bill Murray, crowds numbering as high as 30,000 have visited Gobbler's Knob, a tiny hill in Punxsutawney where the ceremony takes place.

5. Though groundhogs typically live only six to eight years, Groundhog Day lore suggests that Phil drinks a magic elixir every summer, which gives him seven more years of life.

I got these from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/01/groundhog-day-a-history-a_n_441000.html

New Closet!!

We have been leaving in our house for almost 6 years.  Before we moved in, the last major update had been done in the early 1970's.  Alot was still left from the addition in the early 1950's.  Yes, we still have the green shag brick pattern carpet in part of the house.  Due to limited funding, we have approached things slowly- kitchen, both bathrooms, central heat and air, front porch, paint, lighting (new electrical wiring- ugh), and yard stuff.  Our master bedroom has been last, aside from the bathroom that we have already done.  Before we recarpet and say good by to the shag- we are redoing our closet!!!  My grandad built in the originals in the early 1970's....

Bucky tore things out on Saturday and the drywall guy started today!  Hopefully by this weekend, I will functional, white, bifold door bliss!

Mom Finally Got It...

For YEARS my mother has wanted us to all have matching PJs and get a picture.  She finally did.

Facebook Friends

Who do you expect to be your Facebook friend?

When I look at people who have 1000+ friends on Facebook,  I have to wonder- do they really care about all those people?  Or do they just "friend" everyone they have ever met?  We are, by nature, nosey people.  Facebook feeds that urge, it lets us know the details and photos of anyone we have ever met- just be "friending" them.  Would you really know and/or care what the person who sat next to you in 9th Grade History is doing if it weren't for Facebook?

I guess all of this stems for the question... Do you expect to be "friends" with your child's teacher?  Principal?  School secretary?  When I was teaching, I didn't friend students or parents unless I had a relationship with them outside of the teacher/parent/student realm.  Not that I post things the general public couldn't know, I just felt that my private life was just that- private.  And I really didn't want to know every thought, photo, etc. that went on in their lives.  There is something to the saying  less is more. 

However, the new job has opened things up.  Am I expected to be friends with parents from my school?  People I may have never met or only once? 

Happy Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!