Ready or not...

So, this is it... my last week of maternity leave....

All of the projects that I have had planned for the past 11 weeks...well, lets just say I'm trying to cram them into one short week. (I'm blaming my friend Beth and our coffee dates for the cramming! Yes, Beth I know you are reading this!)

The biggest project was organizing for the garage sale I'm having the first weekend of August. Today I sorted everything into boxes per price. So, that's one project down... now, back to the other 143,000...

My biggest feat for this week will be planning a menu for the next month to make it easier transitioning back to work and coming home to three children... I say three because Kevin is one of the pickiest eaters I know.

And now, the greatest news yet... I found a blog with pre-made menus! WHOOP WHOOP!

I will share! http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com

Summer fun

So my 12 week maternity leave is coming to an end soon... I'm not sure what is harder to believe- that it went entirely way too fast or that Eian will be 3 months old in three weeks.

Now that we have a routine down and it is a holiday week, we are going to go to Omaha for the weekend. We plan on visiting the zoo and we are staying at the indoor water park... yes, we know it is the hottest week this century... good thing the zoo has a lot of indoor exhibits!

In addition to that and Yankee Doodle Pops tonight and parade tomorrow... Avery is officially in sports now! Busy week for sure!

Ok, just Bam Bam tball sports...but still... I am now the mom with the lawn chairs in my trunk.

I haven't gotten completely comfortable screaming for my child as I am spectating... I am used to doing this at Packers games and their is usually a relaxing beverage in my hand making it not so ridiculous to yell. But I'm sure over time my "mom proudness" will take over!!

Have a happy 4th of July!

Is a Costco membership going to hurt or help me?

So, for a few years we had a Sam's club membership. It was about $45/year. After only visiting on average, twice a year, we decided not to renew.

Then, a Costco was built in West Des Moines. After visiting with friends, I am tempted to get a membership. The part that is pulling me in this direction is that they offer brands that I like, in bulk, at a great price. (what comes to mind is the extra-large bag of Pretzel Thins that I love with every kind of dip)

I've been reading other blogs on whether or not it is worth the membership fee. There are many valid points on what to buy and what NOT to buy there.

I am not sure what is holding me back. It is only $55 for the membership. I'm not sure if it is the 15-20 min drive that I know I will be making frequently that makes me hesitate or the fact that I can't get out of the store without dropping $100.

Maybe this is the final push that I need to start planning meals for the whole month instead of weekly...hmmm I guess I'll sleep on this one....

Post-Pregnancy Thoughts...

So, last night I was lying in bed thinking how nice it was not to have night-time symptoms of pregnancy...

There is an old wives' tale that states that if you experience heartburn during pregnancy this means you will bear a child with considerable amounts of hair.

Well, while pregnant with Avery I did experience heartburn that an occasional Tums would cure. I eventually was able to pin-point the culprit....chocolate...yes it was as bad as one would think it was having to avoid it!

Nonetheless Avery came out with hair. Styled in a fashionable mohawk to be exact. It was dark and adorable.

Now onto the next pregnancy... heartburn was an understatement. Heartburn was a constant. Chugging from the Maalox bottle was not an unusual midnight "snack" by the end of 9 months. It did not matter what I ate, and Tums did not even offer a speck of relief.

And, how did Eian come out? With a head of hair his own dad was jealous of! Now if only he will keep it!

Here are a few pix of the reasons why suffering through chocolate cravings and midnight awakenings were all worth it!!

Cancer and the monster it really is

Cancer took another person's life yesterday. Another person who is undeserving of its awful wrath. Another mother, wife, and very dear friend to many, including myself. Damn you cancer!

I would love to hug the person who wrote this beautiful article about an angel we know as Kerri.

http://aboveandbeyondcancer.org/archives/862

My sanity savers

So we made is through our first SLEEP-FULL night! I purchased two baby items yesterday that may have just saved me from going crazy...literally.
1. MAM brand pacifier. Eian is able to keep it in his mouth for more than a minute. And... it glows in the dark! BONUS!
2. A fisher-price play n fold (or something like that). Eian slept from 8p to 230am and then again from 3a to 7a!!!
I know every child is unique but between the two of our boys we might end up owning every type of baby gear there is! Along with 10 different kinds of pacifiers!
If I had a drink in my hand I might toast to another night of rest and pray that it wasn't just first nighter's luck!!!

Blogging-Do I have time for this?

Today I start a blog... I sit here thinking of all the things I could be doing as my 7 week old naps...I run down my list:

• Clean out closets
• Exercise
• Sweep kitchen
• Start going through garage sale items
• NAP

But, instead I am going to attempt this blog thing. It looks fun. Why not, right?!