Am I ready?

A lot of woman have strong thoughts or opinions on getting induced.  For me, it is not something I fear, or have concerns about causing problems during delivery.  I was induced with both of my other two, so I truly have no apprehensions about doing it once again. Although my water broke with Ashlyn, i was not in active labor so they "induced" my labor.  Then with Austin, we induced at 39 weeks since I pushed so long with Ashlyn and they didn't want him to get much larger.

I am certainly having a lot more anxieties with this pregnancy. I've mastered multi tasking with 2 kids, and Matt and I can split and conquer the bedtime routine.  So the thought of now being outnumbered by our children is a bit daunting.  Ashlyn and Austin were exactly 2 years apart, so I didn't know any different and Ashlyn still felt like a baby herself.  At this stage in our life, I feel like Austin (who is 2 1/2) is way less of a baby and independent. So going backwards into baby mode sounds exhausting.

I am ready to not be pregnant though.  As much as I have tried to embrace being pregnant this last time, since I know it's the last, it's still not a walk in the park.  I can't bend over anymore, my back aches when i sit on the couch, gets tough carrying austin around, my heartburn is off the charts, and I'm tired.

Hoping this little one doesn't have plans of their own and try to make an appearance prior to March 8th.  I'm not prepared for an early arrival.  I like knowing a date, time, place, and have it all scheduled out.  Life doesn't necessarily work that way, but I'd like to be prepped, shaved, packed, and ready that day.

Just a few days until life changes, gets tough, but certainly gets better!

Can't wait to meet you "Cookie"!

Snow Day

Most parents are thrilled for snow days. In my case, just days away from having a baby, I enjoy the moments of laying around without guilt. Needless to say, this Spring the weather has other plans for me.

School was cancelled Wednesday, the 6th as nearly 6 inches of snow were laid overnight. It is GORGEOUS outside, a wet snow that coated the branches. A true winter wonderland. But as I am 2 days away from having this baby, the kids don't care how I feel, and are ready to play.

Talk about a work out. Try bundling up 2 small children in snow gear, when you can barely lean over to put on your own shoes. Then add on shoving myself into snow pants, a waterproof jacket, and boots.  I'm beat and we aren't even outside yet.

The next adventure entails pulling the kids in a wagon down the street to the field behind the neighbors house.  Then carrying Austin, uphill, through the huge field of 6 inches of fresh fallen snow.  Out of breath, sweating, and ready to give birth. Ha!

Luckily Faith and Christian were in tow to carry the sleds, as well as sled down the hill with the kids. Austin seems to enjoy eating the snow more than playing in it, but I remember doing the same thing as a kid. He lasted about 20 minutes before he was cold and asking for me to trek him back home for lunch.  I easily obliged, while ashlyn stayed behind with the big kids to play.

Enjoying the gorgeous snow, for the rest of the day, inside.....in pajamas!

And there is no better way to enjoy snowy days then with a fire, and playing games with daddy. Ahh!

Projects and the crud

What a blah month February is.  While we have somehow avoided the nasty flu going around this winter, we have gotten plenty of other crud.  Ashlyn had a pneumonia and austin had croup, plus a similar virus which involved several breathing treatments and an inhaler.  Breathing stuff is SCARY, luckily i knew the symptoms and didn't panic during middle of the night attacks.  Sick kids made for lots of chilly day snuggles, which I don't mind!

Feeling cruddy

A fall, and a slap in the face with a phone (thanks to ashlyn)

Sickly naps

Crafting even while super sick

Sleeping through his breathing treatment

Being sick, and lots of snow, also leads to lots of free time to craft and do activities around the house.  Mommy is exhausted these days, so i don't always have the energy to participate in what the kids are doing, but I try to set them up for fun.  Here are some of the fun things we've been up to this month.

Valentine's crafts

Kiwi craft projects 

making blueberry muffins 

dance party

reading on the changing table

Matt and I have our own projects in the works too. Finally painted the kids bathroom, the dining room, and matt completely updated the first floor bath. I think i'd call that male nesting!  Next up, our master bathroom.

And of course we always had time for some fun!

Shriner circus

 Valentine's cuties

Only a few weeks to go

The groundhog didn't see his shadow, let's hope Spring really is on it's way.... cause this winter has been cruddy!!

New year, new adventures

Hard to top december, and all its excitement. Filling January with a month of new things.

New Figure

New activities (masking tape roadway)

New games on the phone (kids are becoming TOO attatched)

New carpet (and more game playing)

New Big Boy room (sports themed)

 New box of hand me downs opened (can you tell they are excited)

New skills learned

New fallen snow

New experiences (Wright State Game with the Toby's) 

Austin entertained the audience with gangnam style

New ways to entertain themselves

Newly potty trained (while playing games...again)

New leotard for ballet

New adventures in the hood (an abnormally warm January day)

The kids are always keeping me on my toes. There has been a lot of arguing, and fighting going on during the short (light) days we are trapped inside. I've certainly had my fair share of not great mommy moments (yelling, napping in afternoon, turning on tv), but I try my best to create New and special memories when possible and through it all!

Santa Claus is coming to town!

He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake......thank God for Santa Claus and that song.  I don't think we could get through December without a little help from Santa Claus watching everything the kids are doing and keeping them in check. I think Santa needs to visit more than once a year.

Baby B #3 is doing great and I am still feeling awesome.  Running at the gym every Monday while the kids are at school and sleeping great.  Getting bigger and bigger everyday. And after getting through the first month of potty training (with all the ups and downs), have decided to give it a little break.  With family in town, and the excitement, easier to just put on the diaper and forget about it for awhile.

So much to tell, this post could last forever. Will do a speed wrap up by putting descriptions with photos. I'll let all the fun photos tell the story of how AWESOME our holiday season was. Santa treated us well this year.  I love Christmas!

Walking through the lights at Niederman Farm, Ashlyn was really into the religious aspect of the story walk, and nativity scene. Followed by cookies and hot chocolate.

My christmas tree helpers.  There ended up being a clump of ornaments in one spot, but I didn't mind. They LOVE the ornaments with their pictures on them.

Saturday morning Christmas music dance party.

Helping daddy put lights in front of the house.

 The LOLCP Christmas performance. Both kids did awesome. Ashlyn is quite the little performer on stage and Austin stood still and sang, it was adorable!! "And they said that his name was...Jesus!"

Santa Brunch at NCR with Ducky and Jill.

A chance to visit with Santa at her school Christmas party.

PJ story time with Santa at Books Bums. Got to make crafts and eat cookies.

Hosted Ashley's baby shower at dad's house. Had a huge turnout and Ashley got TONS of stuff for her baby girl. Decorated everything in yellow and grey with elephants.

Sisters, and our big ole bellies.

Christmas Eve dinner, at the usual joint, Bravo. We took the kids to the children's service at Christ United Methodist and then met matt's family for dinner. 

My beautiful family, and excited kids to soon get a visit from Santa.

 Ashlyn and daddy made special bear cookies for santa. I think he liked them, he ate several!

Ashlyn's letter to Santa. A toe scrubber (yes, again), Baby Ariel, and Ariel Underwear.  It may be the easiest wish list ever, gotta love the girls simplicity. Austin wanted a blue blanket and toe scrubber. 

Two VERY excited, and spoiled, kids on Christmas morning. Santa did arrive!

Helping each other open gifts, and sharing on the excitement!

Baby Ariel, Thanks Santa!

Austin's blue blanket, and with monkeys. Santa is the best!

Celebrating Christmas at mimi and papa's house with their cousins. They both got big belly banks, and a book with pictures of them with mimi and papa which was huge hit. 

All the cousins with papa.

Enjoying adult beverages and a fun new card game.

 Got hit with massive snow just after Christmas. Kids made a mini snowman on the deck, and Ashlyn sledded next door. Austin wasn't too sure about the cold. He preferred to stay indoors with mommy.

My family all came into town the weekend after Christmas, so the festivities continued with the usual Thanksgiving style dinner and celebrating.  Kids are learning to make stuffing. YUM!!!

Fun time with the England cousins, Ashlyn loved hanging out with Madison.

Testing out their Christmas gifts. Spiderman costume and ashlyn's dancing doll were both winners.

Eating pizza and playing games while we wait for the ball to drop.

Ashlyn loves her Uncle Justen

Hahaha, not sure who's more scared of the midnight popper. Was a late night of fun for the kids, and us!

Sledding down ducky's hill with Madison and Graham.

My little beauty and her mis matched socks from Madison

As chaotic as the Christmas season can be, it truly is magical to spend Christmas with children.  They get excited about the true meaning of Christmas, celebrating Jesus and family.  Although i get major anxiety over all the craziness, massive amount of gifts, and back and forth travel.......every second is worth it! Can't wait for Santa Claus to come back next year.