The Sweetest Photo

Now, this is love....

Christmas 2009

We had a fantastic Christmas in our house! We did very little traveling, with having Miss Chloe being under a week old, and spent the week trying to rest and get used to being a family of FIVE! :) The boys were spoiled, as always, by their grandparents and Chloe even got Christmas gifts! Here are a few of my favorite photos, from our Christmas celebrations:

Miss Chloe is also ONE week old today! :) What an amazing week we've had with our favorite Christmas gift! Hope you all had a blessed week, as well, and a very Merry Christmas!

Big Brother

and she already has him wrapped around her little finger....

She's HERE!!!

Chloe Danielle

Born 12/20/2009 @ 11:03 PM

6 lbs 8 oz

17 3/4 inches

No Baby....

I wish I had an excuse for not posting. Well, I guess I have a few. Let's give it a shot:

1) I'm still pregnant.

2) I have had severe vomiting issues and swelling in my legs.

3) I was on bed rest for about a week. Now I am just on "limited mobility".

4) We have been SO blessed, by so many people! Thanks, everyone, for the help!

5) I would love to no longer be pregnant. Kinda hoping she comes sooner than later!

6) I just said "SHE!"

7) The kids have been a little nutty. They know there's change coming and well.... apparently they don't like change?

8) We are still painting the house. Andy has painted EVERY room and we are now just touching up spots. The house will be up on the market in the new year. YAY!

9) I feel large and in charge. I am told I'm not... but well... I feel like it!

(Look at my studly man!)

10) Christmas is in only 11 days. REALLY?

I think that's all, for now. Everything is revolving around getting things ready for Miss Chloe and keeping sanity! Hopefully we all make it out....alive! :)

Simple Woman's Daybook- November 30, 2009

FOR TODAY... from Brittany’s daybook

Outside my window... a little dreary and cold! COLD!

I am thinking... about packing my hospital bags, this week! I know I won’t use them for a little while, but I want to feel prepared.

I am thankful for... my family, who came and helped us paint this weekend! J

I am wearing... jeans, slip on shoes, a teal shirt, and a ponytail

I am remembering... why I need to be resting. I am feeling a little worn down today.

I am going... who knows? I am not supposed to be “overdoing it,” so who knows….

I am currently reading... “Scream For Me” a murder mystery/romance—I’m not too far into the book, so we’ll see how it goes.
I am hoping... I can get a nap in, today.
On my mind... Not a lot. Just the need for rest.

From the learning rooms... coming off vacation...slowly

Noticing that…. My children are amazing little people and I can’t get enough of their imaginations! :

Pondering these words... “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives”- 2 Peter 3:10-11--- AMEN!

From the kitchen... Leftover turkey soup, bratwurst and sweet potato fries, sweet and sour meatballs… That’s all I have planned so far. J
Around the house... Hopefully we get to get the Christmas décor out soon! J I can’t wait to decorate the tree!

One of my favorite things~ Feeling my baby girl kick… 37 more days!

From my picture journal... My beautiful Matty, shaving like daddy! :)

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My Boys :)

We had the boys' photos taken yesterday! We've decided to keep pictures down to once a year- and I was told I would be allowed to spend more money that way! ;) So we went yesterday and had their 2-year and 4-year old photos taken. It was a BLAST. Honestly. It was the easiest experience we've ever had, when having photos taken. And here are some of the best shots (I'll even throw in some of the bloopers):

(We learned never to say "booger" around Matthew- because he feels the need to pick his nose, when we do!)

Almost 34 Weeks!

I am starting to feel it... You know... that "I want to be DONE" with this pregnancy....NOW.... feeling.....

I feel large.

I feel swollen.

I am getting "sick" again....which never really happened with the other two.

My ribs hurt.

I cry, because I am in pain.

My back hurts.

AND.....

I want to HOLD my baby GIRL! ;)

and here's my cellphone shot of the week... Almost 34 weeks! ALMOST! 

A Few of Adam's School Pictures

I mean...really... can my kid get ANY cuter??! :)

Simple Woman's Daybook- November 16, 2009

Outside my window...cooler today and it's supposed to rain. boo. 

I am thinking...that more sleep would have been nice, but that I am thankful I was able to sleep at ALL! 

I am thankful for... my family and friends! 

I am wearing... My PJs. And I might just wear them all day.

I am remembering... a lot, lately. Not everything is good. But it is making me appreciate where I've been and where I am.

I am going... out with the girls this week! And hopefully to get the boys' pictures done at some point.

I am reading... about sin...

I am hoping... my little Matty feels better soon.

On my mind... a lot. Too much to list, really.

Noticing that... May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.- 1 Thes 5:23--

This was last week's quote, too. But I am keeping it, because I need to keep pondering the words.

Pondering these words... see above. God is a God of peace, we just have to be willing to seek Him. I am willing. I AM willing!

From the kitchen... I am going to make chicken noodle soup, today. :) yum!

Around the house... Lots of cleaning and getting the house ready to sell. STILL! It's a slow process.
 
One of my favorite things~ Coffee. COFFEE. COFFEE!!!!


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32 weeks!

The Simple Woman's Daybook- November 9, 2009

Outside my window... It's warm! Going to be a beautiful FALL day!

I am thinking... what a wonderful weekend we had! Two birthday parties, two FOUR year olds, and lots of family!

I am thankful for... the ones I love. Family and friends.

I am wearing... jeans, tennis shoes, and a short sleeved shirt. Might take the boys to the zoo today! :)

I am remembering... where I've been, where I am now, and how I've gotten here. What an amazing journey. God has been SO good to me.

I am going... to take the kiddos to the zoo (hopefully!) and to Target...because Target is a home away from home! ;)

I am reading... Nothing.....

I am hoping... for a smooth week, with no issues. Please, Lord! We need a small break! :)

On my mind... Wednesday. We get to see Princess Chloe, again! Hoping that me measuring small is just "me" and not her too! :)

Noticing that... May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.- 1 Thes 5:23

Pondering these words... see above. God is a God of peace, we just have to be willing to seek Him. I am willing. I AM willing!

From the kitchen... not sure yet. I seem to be behind on my menu planning. We have a freezer full of food, a pantry full of food (for we are truly blessed); I've just not decided what to make, yet! :) Teryaki Chicken or gumbo? Or pizza? or something completely different? 

Around the house... I am a cleaning machine, today! Before 9am the whole house was "done" being cleaned! Still need to fold that laundry, though. boo.

One of my favorite things~

 

My husband. :) I don't tell him enough. He's wonderful. The best. Loving. Caring. Sensitive. Sarcastic (at the right time...and sometimes when I just need a laugh). handsome. and ALL MINE! :) 

Visit more women HERE, to see what they are doing this week!

Pigs and Flu

** I don't usually talk about high tension things, on my blog, but this time I feel like I need to! These are my opinions and things I've found out through our experience. JUST a disclaimer! :)**

Shall we oink for you? That's right, the flu hit our house, this week! Well, kinda...

I know. I know. I should be freaking out: I am pregnant.... I didn't get the vaccine.... Matty has asthma.... he didn't get the vaccine. So we are all going to turn into pigs, right? Because that's what Adam thought, when he heard he had the "swine" flu. Seriously. My four year old thought he would turn into a pig. SIGH. (ok, so the test came back "negative" but we were treated like it was the flu, anyway...read to below)

So, I've decided, through this experience, that I hate the media. Yea- ironic: considering my degree is in the field, of sorts. But really, I think the way this whole flu "pandemic" is being handled really crappily (is that a word?) by the media. Our pediatrician even confirmed this for me.

Here are the "FACTS" that we found out:

1) All of the cases that have entered our pediatrician's office, have been treated within the first 48-hours, and all of the children have been FINE! *If you show ANY signs of sickness, GO to the doctor RIGHT away! That is key!!! A lot of the people who have ended up in the hospital, were never seen by a doctor previously or treated.)

2) Just because ONE person in your house has it, doesn't mean EVERYONE is going to get it.

3) WASH your hands.

4) Do NOT touch your face. (that's the best way to get germies into your body)

5) The rapid test given, to see if you have the flu, is only 80% accurate. So, it might say you don't have it and you do... SO get treated ANYWAY! Adam's test came back NEGATIVE, yet we were treated for the flu anyway- as a precaution.

6) Tamiflu CAN be used as a prevention- though it only lasts so long and is NOT prolonged like a vaccine. (Matthew and I are on tamiflu, and I think that's the only reason we are still well!)

7) Healthy people..... if you get the flu..... it will be YUCKY and you will feel like POOP, but you will BE FINE. Do what your doctor says and the chances of anything "bad" happening are slim to NONE.

8) People die from seasonal flu, too... you know that, right?

9) Freaking out and being paranoid isn't going to do anything.... just take care of yourself and your family, the best you know how.

10) Exercise, drink water, take vitamins, eat well.... do everyday preventatives to keep yourself healthy! Shouldn't we all be doing these things, anyway?!:)

So to end this rant... Adam is fine! He had a fever for only a couple of days (and was REALLY quite miserable during that time), he vomited for about 36 hours, he had a small cough/runny nose, had a sore throat, a headache, and moaned and groaned for 2 days....But now... no fever... a little pale.... and is fighting with his brother (always a GOOD sign!). AND no one else in the house has gotten sick. And we were told that if the Tamiflu wasn't going to work, we'd know within 48 hours. (Hoping that's true, still!)

Ok- end rant. :)

Hope you're all well!

And see- despite being sick- he still had a wonderful Birthday! :)  

Birthday Boy!

To my Sunshine-

Adam, I can't believe that you've grown so fast and that you're already four years old! It seems like it was just yesterday, that we brought you home from the hospital and placed you in your crib. It seems like yesterday you were sitting, crawling, and walking, all for the first time.

And now, my sweet boy, you are an amazing and intelligent FOUR year old! There are so many things you say and do, that make my heart smile. Even on our hardest days, you find a way to make me so proud. You are generous, kind, loving to your brother, a good friend, funny, and SO smart. You are so many wonderful things, I just can't list them all.

Adam, you have made our family better. Mommy and Daddy are blessed to have been given you. God blessed us with the perfect child, for us, and He knew that you were that child. I thank Him daily for you, and I pray for you and your future.

Adam, keep shining. Keep loving. Keep being exactly who you are. I am very proud of you and we love you more than you will ever know!

Always-

Mommy

Adam LAST year, on his Birthday!

And my favorites from THIS year!

Simple Woman's Daybook- November 2, 2009

Outside my window... cold and frosty morning

I am thinking... about everything I have to do, to get Adam's Birthday party ready for Friday! and praying he's feeling well by Friday (seems he might have the flu?!)

I am thankful for... simple blessings.

I am wearing... My PJs still! :)

I am remembering... 4 years ago, today, I went into labor with my beautiful boy!

I am going... to take Adam to the doctor, soon!

I am reading... school books mostly.

Noticing that... even during hard times, God gives us blessings.

From the kitchen... I have no idea! I really didn't plan much for this week. I do have bratwursts waiting to be cooked, in the fridge! yum!

Around the house... we finished painting the old playroom! One room down, a few more to go! :) I can't wait to sell this house!

One of my favorite things~ Peppermint coffee creamer. :) yum-o!

From my picture journal...

What are your thoughts, for this week? Visit The Simple Woman's Daybook to participate in the fun!

Why I've Always Loved Halloween

Because my Daddy always made it SO fun....

And because he STILL does!

I love how the boys aren't even paying attention to him!!! haha. :)

Thanks Dad, for making life fun!!!

and....

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Simple Woman's Daybook- October 26, 2009

Outside my window... a beautiful blue sky, changing trees, and a shining sun

I am thinking... how thankful I am for everything given to me, in my life, though I know I don't deserve it. I am truly blessed.

I am thankful for... my family and friends.

I am wearing... Khaki pants, black shirt, jean jacket, and curly hair

I am remembering... what a wonderful visit we had with Ashley, this weekend! :)

I am going... many places this week, but I am thankful that I have a kiddo well enough to run those errands!

I am reading... about prayer.... and how wonderful it is.

I am hoping... I can stay awake until bedtime. haha

On my mind... prayer. I am really pondering my Bible study this week!

Noticing that... this has been one rainy autumn, and that I am SO glad the sky is BLUE!

From the kitchen... lots of soup and stews!

Around the house... cleaning and getting the house ready to sell! Andy has been painting and moving all weekend! Lots done and lots to do!

One of my favorite things~ the smell of fireplaces burning!

From my picture journal...

Visit HERE to see what others are doing this week! :)

 

BOO! at the zoo! :)

I absolutely LOVE having a zoo membership! It's the one thing we "splurge" on every year, and it never seems to fail us! 

We went with some friends (and Aunt Emily and Aunt Ashley), yesterday, to BOO at the zoo. It's a yearly, kid friendly, even that our zoo holds where there are vendors who give out candy and the kids have a chance to dress up. After all of the candy they ended up with, I don't think we'll have to Trick-or-Treat this week.... Ok, so maybe we will! :)