ON THE BRINK OF BABY.

Well here I sit. 38 weeks and 4 days pregant. At the exact point that I gave birth to Dude...Knowing I went three more days before having Nugget. People have been surprised at every event I have showed up at this week. Preschool. Gymnastics. ECFE. "You're still pregnant?" they ask. And I say, "Yes, yes I am." (Really, the belly gives it away.)  I am emotional today. Could cry at the drop of a hat. Tearing up while writing this, for no apparent reason. My body is done. My mind is done. This pregnancy has been very uncomplicated, yet has taken the most toll on my body. I am tired. Extremely. I have gained the most weight of all my pregnancies. Every part of my body aches. I pee a gazillion times an hour. I am crabby. My kids are demanding. I am ready to meet baby.

All this at the same time that I am looking forward to giving birth. When will it happen? Will my water break? Will contractions start at home or will I have to be induced? How much time will I have to get to the hospital? Who will watch my kids? Oh dear God, who will watch my kids? Hoping it all works out. Hoping I will be aware and soak in every magical moment of bringing another human being into this world.

Nick asked me this morning "How did you sleep?" "Not good" I said. Worried about it all, mostly that my kids will be cared for and Nick can spend as much time with us in the hospital as possible. But then his words comfort me. "Two and half days in the hospital, then back home to the five of us." Our own little pirate ship. Sailing along in this crazy world, but we have each other. And we're tough as nails. I have him. Thank God, I have him.

So here I am. I will wait. Because that's my only choice. I will practice patience because I have to, not because I want to.

We are ready for you baby. You are welcome anytime. xo

FOR YOU, ALICIA.

 

My bloggy friend, Alicia, is pregnant with her fourth baby. Due in just eight short weeks. It's always fun to have babies around the same time as your friends. It makes the bond a little deeper, a little sweeter. My heart goes out to Alicia, because while we are both seasoned Mama's, she thought she was done after her third and got rid of everything. I can't imagine having to start from the ground up, from crib to bottles to onesies. Everything.

So! How sweet is it that another bloggy (and real life) friend, Becky, rounded some of us gals together to honor Alicia in an online bloggy baby shower! To help prepare her for this baby and bless her socks off. Sweetest idea ever.



The gender of Alicia's baby is a surprise, and she is referring to it as her "Spring Chick". So naturally, if I could carry out Alicia's shower in real life, it would look something like this:





Spring and babies might just be two of my favorite things. And together? Make my heart swoon, why dontchya.

Of course you have to have treats at a shower! These would be a must.





Today I sent off a package for Alicia, with some sweet little items to help her prepare for Spring Chick. But I like surprises, so I didn't take any photos of what I sent. Sorry Alicia. You'll just have to wait for the mail man :)

Here's one little sneak peek though of something I made...

And I can't let you all leave without a parting gift, so here you go!



Head on over to Becky's blog to see what the others are doing for their online baby shower, and check out Alicia's blog here!

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Happy day to you, Ms. Alicia! Sending you lots of hugs and well wishes!

*Photos and ideas taken from Pinterest. (Ecxept the Baby banner. I made that. ) Oh Pinterest, what would we do without you?!

SNIPPETS.

Wow, it's been a long while since I've done a Snippets post. Or felt caught up on blogging for that matter. Guess today's my day. Lucky me.

Of all the social media outlets out there, Instagram is my favorite. Is it yours too? My user name is littleforalittlewhile. Should be easy for you to remember ;) If you're not on Instagram, you can still see my photos here. Pretty slick.

Moving on:

Waiting at gymnastics for Sissy. He is getting less and less patient with each week that passes.

Little boy, big bowl.

Imaginative play is my favorite.

Always be yourself. Or a unicorn.

Goofy.

"Mom, I'm gonna wear this to dinner."
And she did.

Book worm.

The latest phase. Thankfully it seems to have been short lived.

Sunshine. And no more room on Mama's lap.

A favorite.

Almost there.

Nerd at the library.

Snugly.

Rediscovering baby toys. Who knew they were so much fun?!

Helpers. Messy, but I am still grateful.

Checking in on baby.

A winter walk, to Mama's doctor appointment.

He loves books.

Valentines for wee friends.

Post bath snuggles. The best kind.

"Mom, I'm gonna write 'I love you'". And she did.

 

Mama got her hair did.

Date night was as awesome as this banana cream pie.

Stock piling. aka, nesting.

Reunited and it feels so good.

Happy hump day.

VALENTINE TEA.

As I'm rounding the bend on this pregnancy, most days I feel as if my mind is working at a significantly different pace than my body. There are so many things I want to accomplish before baby arrives, but when it comes down to it, I am so stinking exhausted. I usually opt for a midday nap rather than crossing things off my to do list,which I then feel guilty for getting nothing accomplished that day. Other than growing a human being inside my body.

But I knew Valentine's Day was one day where I was going to have to pull my crap together, because my girl was counting on me. She still vividly remembers our tea party from the last love day, and without a doubt in her mind, it was tradition and we were surely doing it again. Which I was all for. I just needed to stay awake for it somehow.

First things first, we had a busy morning of school for her, ECFE for Dude and I, then a stop at the gymnastics center for some open gym. Oh, how my kids love open gym. Such a good winter outlet. Our day got a jump start with a little love filled breakfast and goodies.

After our run around morning, we made it through lunch, then started carrying out our preparations for afternoon tea.

Turns out, if you don't stop moving it is much easier to carry on through the day. Although you're bound to crash at bedtime.

We waited for Dude to wake up from his nap, then the party was on. It was quite simple really. Warm tea doctored up with sugar and honey, and anything fun and bite sized that we had on hand that seemed tea party appropriate. Crackers and cheese, grapes, mini cupcakes, a few marshmallows...

The kids ate and drank merrily while I snapped photos and cleaned up spills. Nugget and I have spent the last year slowly adding to our mismatched tea set, and we had enough for each of us this time. How fancy for them to use real china. It was totally worth every bit of energy and effort I could muster. Always.

The day was made even sweeter by a special delivery sent from Daddy and Brother. I got the bouquet on the left, Nugget got the one on the right. Gorgeous.

My valentine to him was a few little love notes placed around the house, and a plate of homemade cupcakes.

And we had a date night this weekend which was amazing.

I'm so glad I take the time to do the little things for them, for him. They are my whole world and I surely love them to pieces.

xo.

DUDE TURNS TWO.

I know, I know. I've already written about his birthday here and here . But I have one more post about his actual birthday, then I'm done. I swear.

I was a little torn about how to spend his special day, which happened to land on a Tuesday. It was the last day that I knew I'd be able to volunteer in Nugget's preschool class before baby arrives (and let's face it, I'm not sure I'll get there after baby comes), but I also wanted the focus to be on Dude. After a little hum and hawing, I decided to just go for it. After all, he loves going to her school, and I knew it wouldn't make a difference to him how we spent those two hours.

So, after a yummy birthday breakfast of pancakes, we headed to school. The pancakes were a hit, as is anything that involves "dip", as you can see by the syrup running down his chin :)

Nugget's teachers are awesome, and totally don't mind that Dude tags along when I volunteer. They even include him in all activities, which makes my heart smile.

 Playing Playdough

 

 Sister got to lead the class in practicing the alphabet! Surely an important job.

 

Play time!

 

He also got to enjoy snack time and going to the gym to play Duck, Duck, Gray Duck and kick/throw around a ball. Big shot stuff, you know.

 

After school, Daddy was able to sneak away from work and meet us for lunch at Etlin's Cafe. Anytime we get to see Daddy in the middle of the day is exciting.

 





 

After our busy morning, we came home for naps, then spent the afternoon just lounging at home (other than running to Sister's dance class!). He enjoyed playing with his new birthday toys, especially some Duplos that came in the mail that day (Thanks Uncle Chad and family!).

 

This picture about sums up turning two. My big boy, looking all studly, drinking his beloved orange juice from a real glass. How did he grow up so fast?!

 



 

We concluded the day with a yummy dinner of homemade chicken nuggets, and of course, cake and singing!

 

 

I'd say we spent the day just right...a nice pace of partying and down time.

 

Cheers to you and turning two, my little stud muffin!

 

xoxo