Oh, Hello!

We've missed you all!

If you're still reading this blog,
then,
bless you.

The Hunk said it last week.
While sharing a sundae on a date.
It's something that he's always said
as I've started getting back to my ol' self after morning sickness.
"Welcome back!" he says,
with joy & relief.

My baby belly!

It's been a rough time over here.
But it's been the same with every pregnancy,
so I should have known.

The picture-snapping has been minimal.
But I did take a few on this really bad day.
I thought, "someday, I'll look back at these & laugh, right?"
The biggers were off to school.
It was just me & Ella.
I couldn't bring myself to lift a fingernail
(so how did I manage to put her hair in braids? Go me!).
I plopped down on the floor,
brought out her dollhouse & a ball of string
and let her have at it while I slept & dazed & sulked.

Gee, pictures sure play a good bluff.
But it was bad, people.

Bugg & Ella watching a DVD
on my clean bedroom floor.

The state of our house these last couple
of months has been awesome.
You know, "awesome."

But I've had a swell survival kit,
lest you think I'm completely helpless & pathetic.

Ice cream.
The GOOD kind.
This can only mean one thing:
Haagen Dazs.
I accept no other.
More specifically,
strawberry, chocolate, or
most specifically:
Chocolate on Chocolate Ice Cream Bars.
Where have these been all my life?
I don't know if I can ever go back?!!
Please don't ask how much of our life savings has been spent
on this perfect treat.
I've been ridiculous about hoarding & being quite selfish
with my Haagen Dazs.
Hesitant to share,
hiding it in the back of the freezer,
giving death glares!
Pregnant women,
they can get away with so much!

But mostly,
I've survived because of my Hunk.
Like when I yelped out a last minute plea,
"Please take me away from here!"
He took me to the Marriott in Salt Lake for a night.
I love him!
Love my parents,too, for taking the kids!
And he has dealt with mounds of dishes & laundry & bedtimes.
While I've hid in corners eating my ice cream bars.
There have been good days, though......

Like when we took the family to
Gardner Village last month.

with cousin, Ashtyn

I barely squeaked out costumes for Halloween.
We didn't go Boo-ing.
Didn't roast pumpkin seeds.
Had a really quick Fall Frolic
during heaving moments.
No cool Halloween cookies.
No parties.
And I was just plain off my celebratory game.
But.......
We did host a Pumpkin Carving gathering in our driveway
with all our neighbors.
Brian lit up the firepit.
We had cider & treats.
Very festive & lively!

It's mostly been pretty chill.

Oh, yes, there was this one night
that I sent Brian to the store for diapers at midnight.
He came home with a potty chair for Ella.
Okay, so apparently, I'm ready for this?
Not the best timing, darling.
But the next morning,
she sat right down & went!!
And she's gone 5 times since,
according to the potty chart that Mia made.

She has also decided that naptime
is only necessary about 3 times a week now.
NO!!!
I've been spoiled with naps.
Every day,
I would put her down for a nap.
And then I would nap, too.
For like TWO hours!
But then,
the little sneak,
as I was sleeping she'd just whisper & play.
For an hour!
And then she'd come & tell me,
"I wake up dis morning!"
Mmmm-hmmm.
But at least I still get an hour.
We call it quiet time now.
Sigh.

Days are brighter,
I've got more pep in my step,
we're getting out more,
I've got a baby belly now

& the blogger is back!

Great timing, too!

It's the holidays!
Wahooo!
Ella & I have been out shopping for
Christmas secrets.
I picked up this obnoxious lip gloss at the $ Tree,
thinking it'd be a dollar wasted.
Wrong!
I love it in all its ridiculousness & shine.

And yeah,
you bet I rocked the gloss at Sam's Club
while eating my soft pretzel
and shopping for bulk stuff.
Only to notice that the pretzel is wearing the gloss, too.
Ew.

Do you see what I see?
YES!
Bulk Haagen Dazs!
But alas, not in chocolate.
Vanilla - you just don't do anything for me.
Sniff.

We got an early present:
the Nikon D5100.
It was on a psycho sale & the mister just couldn't
pass it up.
The camera is freaky.
It does freakish things.
And weighs a lot.
And it really intimidates me.
I feel like I'm cheating on my D40.

But it takes wicked pics.
Right now,
we're on a His & Her camera basis.
The Hunk uses the 5100,
I use the 40.
Brother.

Cookies are back, too!
And on the doorstep after school.

And really,
REALLY,
all I wanted to say in this long post is......

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

perhaps?

I haven't thrown up in 2 days.
Could it be?!!!!!
Please let it be!
So now I'm just feeling cruddy,
instead of crappy.
Hooray!

It's been a doozie

Right now,
I should be giddy as heck.
I mean, it's Autumn!
And the leaves are on fire.
I should be picking baskets full
to make garlands.
And baking pumpkin cookies.
And planning Halloween costumes.
Starting Christmas gifts.
Picking apples.
And all that jazz.
But the celebratory fire in me has been temporarily snuffed.
I'm soooooooooo happy to be pregnant, right, I am!
But I am so sick.
And tired.
And tired of throwing up!
Yes, I know, bless my heart, thanks.

This was one of my last good days.
"Good" as in nauseous but still hanging in
and getting out.
We picked berries,
I made a pie,
it was beautiful.

Sorry I've left you all wondering what happened to us.
I just couldn't bring myself to do hardly anything.
My goal for the day is to
feed kids, get them on the bus, and just survive.
There have been a few small miracles, though.
Like getting these two ready for picture day:

So CUTE!
I mean, CUTE!

And I somehow dragged myself
up to Shriner's with Bugg
to get his new braces & shoes.
So styling, he is!
Nobody can get away with wearing white shoes
like Bugg can.
They will stay perfectly white for forever!

Apparently, I took a picture of the birds
eating all our sunflower seeds.

My girl cracks me up.
Mia has dressed herself since she was 2.
Sometimes she lets me do her hair.
Other than that,
she is on her own and I'm fine with it.
I mean, look at her.
She knows style!

See the rainbow?

Now?

This day was miracle of all miracles.
We went to the pumpkin patch.
The hayride, the maze, tromping through the patch,
eating cider & donuts.....
I just couldn't let that go.

in the maze

There was magic in the patch, like always.
And there were moments when I thought I'd be sick.
But I loved the joy on my childrens' faces
as we carried out one of our favorite traditions.
But just 'cause we made it to the patch
doesn't mean that I can deal with Halloween.
All those treats!
Ew! Get away!
And coming up with costumes sounds so exhausting.

We've rummaged around in Grandma's
costume box.
Mia is so picky and changes her mind every day.
Ella is freaked out about costumes.
Fine with me, actually.
And Bugg.

Any ideas?
He can't be the only kid at school
and the only cousin at the party
with no costume.


Done! I actually finished a post for you!
I must really love you or something.