The opposite of calm is????

Anxious...Scared...Nervous...Happy...Excited...Impatient...all these feelings are rattling around in my head.

Can I handle 3 kids?
Will I have the stamina to keep up with them?
Am I going to remember what to do with a tiny little baby?
How am I going to balance having a 5 year old, 4 year old, and newborn?
Am I going to remain sane when school starts back in August and I'm carting 3 kids around?

I am getting more and more nervous the closer the day comes to having her. The realization that another human is going to be dependent on me is getting me a little anxious. I feel somewhat stretched with the 2 kids and the hubby. I have not ever really been one that needs alot of "me" time or needs scheduled GNO (Girls night out). I feel like when I took on being a mother that my time is my family's time. I know there are many mothers out there that feel like they need that "me" time to survive. I guess I need my kids to survive.

I know all this anxiety will be completely gone once I see her adorable little face and feel her sweet touch. I almost feel like a first time mom again even those this is number three. I'm sure all mom's go through this. I bet Michelle Duggar gets a little anxious before the next baby comes out the shoot.

So in 3 days our little party of four will become a party of five.

Packing in the Summer

We have been busy around here trying to do as much as possible before the baby comes. It is so different this time around being pregnant with two active kids. I don't want them to suffer because all I want to do is lay on the couch and prop my belly up on a pillow. We have been to the library several times for story time. They have really enjoyed the puppet shows and I have to say I have too. The puppeteers have been pretty impressive and funny. We will go tomorrow then that will probably be it for a few weeks.

We have also gone to the museum which was nice since it was inside and we beat this sweltering Texas heat. They have a really neat Lego exhibit right now.

We have gone to the splash pad. Not sure what possessed us to go since it is sooooo hot. The kids had fun but Nana and I were miserable!! That is definitely a get up and go in the morning activity.

We have also gone to open jump at Jumping Party. This is by far one of my favorite summer activites. The kids are completely contained and they have seating for the parents. So I grab a book and read while the kids jump and jump and jump. Then one of the best things is they are so pooped when they get home it's nap time! Best 12 bucks you can spend.

Last Saturday we went to the Waco Water Park for the afternoon. It is different than we are used to back in The Woodlands. However for Waco standards it is great. The kids really had a good time. I enjoyed just being in the water with it being so hot. Hubs always makes friends with the pesky teenage lifeguards questioning their reasons behind their rules and cringing at the 50,000 whistle blows. I know they are trying to keep everyone safe but seriously if the parent is watching them with an eagle eye and the parent has enough sense to put a life vest of their child don't you think they are capable of making sure their little heads stay above water. Geesh!! I know they are just doing their $7 an hour job but dang it's annoying.

Wee Little Town

I still find it humorous how small this town is. I know demographically it is not small...over 100,000 people. But in just the past two days I have been reminded how small it is. Yesterday we were sitting in the bank with my mom. There was a very tall gangly man with a UT shirt (the shirt is probably made him stick out to me) also waiting. After a few minutes he got up and left. Nothing significant about him to make him stand out. However after we left the bank we went to eat and low and behold there was that same man sitting at the table right inside the door. I chuckled and said out loud to myself "Gosh this is such a small town" as I walked past his table. He probably thought I was talking to my other personality. Then today we went to puppet time at the library. There were about 40 kids there and approximately 20 or so parents. Afterwards Bubby and I went to Walmart. And sure enough there was a lady there that was at the library. Not to mention I ran into someone I knew at Walmart plus did the aisle dodge with a former student. I'm just not used to running into people I know all around town. This constantly reminds me "I'm not in Houston" anymore also makes me mind my P's and Q's.

Fighting the "I'm Bored" Fight

I always dream of being a stay at home mom. The endless hours in a day spent with my kids. The chore free weekends since I have done all the chores during the week. The wonderful aroma of home cooked meals every evening. Ahhh the joys of being at home and not at a job all day. I get that wish during the summer when I off. It is always so great...for about a week!!

Then reality sets in and I get bored. I am a pretty efficient person when it comes to running our household. Our house stays pretty clean. Toys don't get out of hand. There may be a few out here and there. The dishes are not overtaking the sink. And as of right now the laundry is staying under control since I'm doing about a load every other day. Wash, fold, and put away. But all the time in between is rather boring. TV is mindless and challenging to the intelligence. The internet gets old. Facebook is fun but kind of boring during the day while everyone is at work. The kids don't need me every minute of the day. They are content watching some TV, playing together or by themself.

We try to do something everyday. My mom thinks I'm crazy because I feel the need to get out of the house everyday. I like to be on the go. Even at 38 weeks pregnant!! We may run to the library, the museum, Target, or just over to my mom's. I know my time getting out will be limited once the baby gets here so I guess that is why I'm taking advantage of it now. I know I will fill my days with a little more "activity" once I lose this baby hump. There is some major yard work that needs attention that I have on my list of things to do.

So hats off to all you stay at home moms who do this year round. It is a difficult job being on call 24-7 while still trying to maintain your sanity. But I know the payoff of watching your children grow is worth more than anything in the world. I think for my kids they get the best of both worlds by having me work and be at home during the summer.

Baby Macy's Shower

My friend Candy and my mom gave me and Baby Macy an adorable baby shower. I had some great friends show up. We laughed and laughed and laughed. It was so nice to just sit around and visit and chat about all things girly. I'm really lucky to have some wonderful women in my life that care about me and my family. We got some great things for Macy. She is going to be one stylish little girl!! And very well diapered and wiped thanks to Mom.

Me and Candy

36 weeks!!

We compared bellies and sorry Dad you beat me by one 2 ply square :)

A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on. -Carl Sandburg

Waiting Game

Well I went to the doctor yesterday. She told me I was 3 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I'm 37 weeks now which makes me feel alittle better if I go into labor since the baby is considered full term. I was quite surprised when she told me my "stats". I wasn't expecting anything to be going on. However I have been having some contractions low in my abdomen which weren't any joke since I have progressed already. She schedule my induction for June 28th if I don't go into labor before. But I figure I will probably go into labor before since my contractions are still coming just not regularly. I got back to the doctor next Thursday (17th) so we will see what is going on with the baby then. Until them I'm going to take a few walks because I would much rather go into labor than be induced. I was induced with the other two and would really like to experience "going into labor". But it all depends on this little girl!! So until then we will wait it out by walking it out :)

Paula Deen is the Queen

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/peanut-butter-cake-recipe/index.html

My mouth is watering after seeing this on the Food Network. Paula Deen just made this most amazing cake. I am definitely gonna make this this weekend.

Get with the times!!!

I really like living in a small town. Well I think it is a small town compared to Houston. Waco has about 120,000 people but it might as well have 12,000. The thing that annoys me the most is NOBODY has websites. Businesses especially!! I'm trying to find a pet groomer and I can't find one online. Sure I can look at yellowpages.com but I want to see their website. What do they offer, how much, and when are they open?? But no there isn't anything except a phone number. I ran into this same problem when trying to find a jumpy thing for Buggers birthday.

Come on Waco get with the times and get online!!!

Suite Life of two kids

Just some recent pictures of the kids. We are all looking forward to the end of the school year. We are ready for some "sleeping in" and not having to rush out the door in the mornings.
This was at the kids' Wet and Wild day at school. They had 3 water slides and 2 bouncers. The kids had a great time. That evening the school had a picnic to raise money for the middle school kids immersion trip. Such a rare moment...them playing together without fighting!!
Buggers

Me and Bubby....he is such a ham!! Wonder where he gets that!! He is soooo cool especially with his mohawk!!

2 month absence....

(what do I write about since I haven't posted in almost two months?)

Well I am 8 1/2 months pregnant now. All the aches and pains of being pregnant are in full effect. I know it is all worth it. I can't wait until the baby is here. I've been have some contractions lately. Plus it looks like she has already dropped. A lady at work today told me "No offense by you look like you are about to pop. You are not going go make it until July." Agreed by me!! Hubs was looking at my stomach today and was just shaking his head in disbelief. He said "Geez honey looking pretty pregnant." Derrr!!! I wonder how big she will be. Buggers was the biggest of the two weighing in at 6 lbs 8 ozs. I just can't wait to see what she looks like. Will she look like the other two? What color hair will she have? Red, blonde, brown?? What type of personality will she have? Will she be strong willed, passive?

The other two kiddos are winding the school year down. Bubby is so excited about becoming a kindergartner. Buggers is starting to figure out she is going from being a P3 to a P4 for next year. They have both learned so much this year. I am hoping to home school them this summer. I have already gathered many materials. And I'm working on our summer schedule. We are going to go to the library once a week for story time. I would like to put them in gymnastics once a week. I hope I'm not being too ambitious and can actually do all of that with them with the little one coming. We will just let her be a tagalong :)

Hubs has been doing a great job on our pay it off plan. He has been getting things in order for us to pay off our debt. He knows it stresses me out to the gill so he takes care of it. I just ask if I can spend such and such or if I need to wait a few days. We are looking to sell our house as soon as our renter moves out which will pretty much complete our pay it off plan. It will be hard to let the house go but since we don't think we will ever go back it seems like the right thing to do.

Ok hopefully that will pacify my lonely readers who have been left out to dry without any posts. I have some ideas for future posts so hopefully it won't take me 2 more months to actually put them onto "paper".

Goodbye BlueBelle!!

Well I have bitten the bullet and come to the realization that our family has outgrown my car. I was trying to figure out a way to fit 3 carseats into the back. But the only way I could think to do it made me feel uneasy with the safety of my two older ones. Plus I can just imagine how cramped they would be in the back. Plus I would not be able to have groceries and the big stroller in the trunk. And I can't even imagine a long trip with us all cramped in little BlueBelle.

So hubs and I talked to my FIL since he always gets us a great deal. We found a 2004 Chrysler Town and Country minivan that would basically only raise our monthly payment 20-30 dollars. It is fully loaded too...DVD player, automatic doors, the whole nine yards. So sadly, I gave up my most favorite car for a minivan.

I'm still getting used to the fact that my new ride is a minivan. I told Hubs that I would not get one until I was atleast 30. Geez I might as well have asked for it for my birthday. We still don't have a name for it. The kids want BlackBelle and I'm leaning towards Kitt (like from Knight Rider).

T-ball Tryouts

Bubby had tryouts tonight. It was so cute to see my little boy out there on the field being such a big boy. I know I have a hard time letting go and letting him grow up. But it is going to happen regardless if I'm ready. I was so proud of him and can't wait until the season starts. I think it is going to be full of laughter as we watch this little boys try to be ball players.

Valentine's day surprise!!

Hubs surprised me with 18 red roses at school on Friday! I was really shocked. Not the fact that he sent them to me because he has always been sweet about bringing home flowers. I guess shocked because I was totally surprised. I had no idea...he was a sneaky pete.
Thank you honey...I love you!!!

Valentine's Day

I've never been a big fan of Valentine's Day. Mainly because Hubs birthday is the day before and I would rather focus the attention towards that. Also I think Valentine's day is just a marketing/merchandising scam to get poor sad husbands/boyfriends to buy their women gobs of unnecessary chocolate that she will later be regretful for eating. And in turn resent him for buying it. Therefore I say boycott this ridiculous holiday... unless you are under the age of 10.

I have to admit kids are so cute at Valentine's day. I have always enjoyed buying my kids a little something. I don't make a big deal out of it like Easter but it is just a little something to let them know they are my special little valentine. And of course they get all into it because they get to take valentines to their classmates and teachers. We spent about an hour last night making their teachers' v-day gifts. I found some great little crafts on makelearningfun.com. They turned out really cute. We made a total of 4 since each kid has 2 teachers. Hopefully they will be something the teachers will appreciate since the kids made them. I know as a teacher I always appreciated the little handmade notes and cards kids made me. And of course to give each teacher their needed chocolate fix we attached them to a bag of truffles.

We will spend tomorrow night fixing up the 44 valentines for their classmates!!! Too bad they both don't know how to write their names. Bubby does but don't think he has the stamina to write it 22 times in a small confined space.

So to all you sappy love hungry valentine's day lovers...Happy Valentine's Day!!

Girls Rule...Boys Drool!!!

Well we tried to wait until the baby was born before we found out what the baby is. Oh well the pressure got to us and we opened the envelope. The ultrasound technician wrote the sex of the baby on a piece of paper and sealed it in an envelope. We waited until Hubs got home then sat down with the kids and opened the envelope. Not to much surprise...it said "It's a girl!!" We were excited to know that this last baby that is going to complete our family will be a little girl. Hubs and I both suspected that it was a girl. I have been sick and nauseous just like I was with Buggers. It is going to be alot of fun having a little girl around again. Also having a girl makes Buggers not seem like the middle child. She is more like the older of the two girls. And of course it will always be special for Bubby since he will be the only boy. Oh boy!!! I can see all the torture he is going to give the girls!!

I know it is going to be really tough at the beginning with a new baby and two toddlers. I can already forsee many sleepless nights and many days that I want to pull my hair out strand by strand. I can see the mountain of clothes that I will never get to the bottom of. I can already see the endless stack of dishes filled with sippy cups and bottles. I can envision the mass amount of time two toddlers will spend in timeout for waking the baby or for fighting with each other. Oh my just thinking of in makes me want to crawl in a hole and never come out. But I need to remind myself that all that is physical stress and physical work. That will be nothing that we will endure in 13 years when Bubby is a senior, Buggers is a junior and Little One is 13!!! Oh my...will we have our work cut out for us!!!

BFF=Best Friends Forever!!!

We met up with an "old" friend last weekend. We haven't seen her in about 4 or 5 years. We keep in touch through facebook and texting. So it was so great to sit down to dinner and catch up. Hubs and I became friends with Jenny in high school. She was one of the 4 girls in the "group". Us four girls were inseparatable our junior and senior years. We spend every weekend together at one of our houses. I have so many fond memories hanging out together and doing all kind of crazy things together.

It was so great to see her. Hopefully we will be able to see her more often since we only live about an hour and half away from each other. Here's to lasting friendships!!

Tried and True Creamy Jalapeno!!

I have been searching for the true Chuy's creamy jalapeno dip. I looked all over the Internet but found so many that claimed they were the true one but they all had different ingredients. A friend of mine had a recipe and she is a big Chuy's fan and she said it was as close to it as you could get. So I attempted it tonight...and it was just about on target. I bet it will be even better tomorrow after the flavors meld together.
So here you go...guard it, protect it, eat it!!

1 packet of ranch dressing mix
1/2 cup of milk (little more little less)
1 cup of mayo
1 - 4 oz can of green chiles
3 Tablespoons of cilantro
1 clove of garlic
1/3 cup of pickled jalapenos

Mix and Dip!!!

What position do you play?

Holy cow...I have a son old enough to play t-ball. Are you kidding me? It just boggles my mind that he is old enough to play on a little league team. We skipped the whole YMCA team thing and went straight for the "real" ballpark. He has tryouts in 3 weeks which I find very funny. Really how do you do tryouts for 5 and 6 year olds??

"Ummm let's see I'll take that kid he isn't playing in the dirt."
"I'll take #398, he hit the ball farther than the tee."
"We will take that kid he isn't wearing his mitt as a hat."

I think it will be hilarious!!

I do have to admit we are going to have to start educating Bubby on the logistics of baseball. When we were registering him, the guy asked him what position he played. Bubby replied, "Thirteen!" Of course Hubs and I just laughed. The guy replied, "Looks like he will be a good outfielder."

I'm so looking forward to all the funny times of t-ball!! I will definitely be filming just in case I capture my $10,000 bank roll!!!

Play Ball!!!

Due date...three weeks

Library card...check...more time on my hands...check.

I have really been sticking to one of goals for the year. I wanted to become a better reader. Not meaning being able to read better...more along the lines of reading more. Becoming a more avid reader. I think I have read about 6 or 7 books since living in Waco. I have started reading some different authors than who I usually read. James Patterson, Kristen Hannah and Nicholas Sparks are some of the favored. I think I have read 5 James Patterson books. I have read his two romance novels and 3 thrillers. His thrillers are soooo good. Real page turners. But nothing compares to his book Suzanne's diary for Nicholas. That was a phenomenal book. I look forward to reading it again.

Reading is such a stress relief. Plus I ready for bed rest...just in case :)

Anyone out there in blogland that has a favorite author or book that you think I may like? I would love any suggestions.

Sweet 16!!

It feels good to finally reach 16 weeks in this pregnancy. I know every one always looks forward to getting to 12 weeks. But for me 16 makes me feel so much better. I've got the cute little belly bump going on so it actually looks like I'm pregnany and not just getting a beer gut. It may just be my imagination but I have felt those sweet little flutters that resemble baby movement. It is such a great feeling to finally feel that baby kick and squirm.
I had a good doctor's appointment this week. I have gained 7 pounds so far. My blood pressure was 137/80 which is borderline high. Doctor said she its not high enough to treat yet. But she would just watch it. I have been having a lot of headaches lately. Not sure if they are associated with my blood pressure or not.
I have to say that the night after I went to the doctor I did the worse thing I could have...googled complications of hypertension. I soooo should not have done that. I knew the possible complications with my other two but it just really scares me this time. I guess since I already have two it scares me for anything to happen to me or the baby. I just hope that things will be ok and all will be fine with the baby. I knew this was a risk with this baby but I trust that all will be fine and my doctor will take all precautions to keep us safe.
I will have my ultrasound in a few weeks. We are sticking to our guns about not finding out the sex of the baby. I think it will be so exciting to be surprised. The baby's heart rate has consistently been in the 150s and according to the old wives' tale it looks to be a girl. If that is the case we better decide on a name!!