Catch-up

It's been forever since I've blogged, so I'm going to play catch-up in this post.  I've been really busy cleaning out what used to be my "craft room" to make room for the new nursery.  Since we moved in our house, this room had just become the dumping ground where I could have a huge mess and close the door without thinking about it again.  I was dreading cleaning it out, but it felt so good to do it and have a totally empty room to start decorating for our new baby!

Before - Such a mess!

Before- Can you say disaster?!?!?

After- the only thing left is that pile with old pictures for me to sort through and organize before taking to the basement.  

The closet was a disaster.  It had everything from my wedding shoes, stationary, wrapping supplies, scrapbook stuff, and old Halloween costumes.  After taking what felt like a million trips from upstairs to the basement, it was finally all cleaned out.  And as a bonus, I got a workout that day.

I moved my sewing and craft stuff to another room and I'm happy to say because of some new furniture it looks way more "decorated" and organized than it did before.  I'm still working on it, but will post pics of that area when it is complete.

The girls have been great and keeping themselves entertained dressing up, playing games, and having their usual fun.  

You can see Harper still loves her bag.

If you are wondering why Handley isn't wearing any tights when it's 40 degrees outside it's because she can't stand wearing them.  As soon as we get home she takes them off.  Today she happened to put her shoes back on and push her sleeves up.  When I asked her why she did that and she told me it was because she was a "summer girl and in the summer you don't wear anything on your arms or your legs."

Sad news to share is that my grandmother (my mom's mom) passed away last night.  We knew her fight with cancer was coming to an end, but it is never easy to accept it.  We will spent this weekend with the rest of my family remembering and celebrating her amazing life.

Talking to Handley about Memaw going to Heaven was an interesting and on-going conversation today. She was asking some VERY deep and thoughtful questions. I'd be lying if I said I answered them all easily, but I'm happy she is trying to understand everything that is happening.

• How did Memaw get to Heaven?  Did she go on a plane?
• Where will she sleep in Heaven?
• What is there to eat in Heaven?
• What is Jesus doing right now in Heaven?
• Can she call us when she is there? 
• What if she needs to go potty in heaven?
• Do people in Heaven get to come back or do they stay there? 
• Will I go to Heaven? (Then she told me she didn't want to go because she just wanted to stay at home with me forever.)

Talk about tough conversations.  

Memaw was a wonderful woman.  She raised 5 children, 4 boys and my mom.  She has left an incredible legacy that will continue to carry on the character traits she taught us all.  I love how close my extended family is and the never ending support and love we all have for each other.  I know it's because she was always the most loving and thoughtful woman.  She will be greatly missed by all of us.  Handley said it best today though when she told me, "even thought Memaw and Bimmie are in Heaven, we still love them." 

PJ's, Name Writing, and Body-Slams

Because of the icy roads I told Handley that we wouldn't be going anywhere yesterday morning.  That is when she proclaimed that she wanted to stay in her PJ's all day.  While Harper and I got dressed, she succeeded in her mission.  At dinner she told me, "I just can't believe I stayed in my pajamas all day...that is just ridiculous!"  I'm happy to say that this morning all 3 of us got dressed and ventured out of the house.  We played with friends and grabbed lunch at our favorite spot.  It was so nice to be out and thankfully with the warmer temperatures the roads were almost clear.

Yesterday while we are stuck at home I had Handley practice writing her name.  She can do it, but we hadn't practiced in a while so she was a little rusty.  After going round and round she finally gave in and did it a few times.  I told her we were going to do it everyday from here on out so that it would keep getting easier for her.  She wasn't thrilled with that idea, but she was thrilled to show Robby this evening how well she can write it and was SO proud of herself.

 The night ended with some body-slams.  Might sound like something from a wrestling show, but in all actuality it's one of Handley and Harper's favorite things for Robby to do with them when he gets home from work.  He lifts them above his head while they are squealing with delight and then he "slams" them onto the couch (very carefully).  They laugh uncontrollably and beg for him to do it again and again.

Harper, the middle child

For some time now, we've joked that Harper would be her perfect middle child.  She's totally got the personality for it and I am happy to finally announce that she is going to get to live out that role for the rest of her life.  We are expecting our 3rd (and final) baby in July!!!!!  I've kept it a secret from most everyone for way longer than I originally intended on, but I'm 13 weeks today and everything looks fantastic.  

I had a doctor's appointment today.  I was worried that I might not get to go with all of the snow and ice that is still around.  Plus, I was nervous to drive my new car with all the icy road conditions.  The girls and I met Robby at work so he could come with us.  We were happy to learn that the baby looks healthy and is growing right on track.  

The most exciting piece of news we received was that my doctor is 99% sure our baby is a BOY!!!!!!!!!!! (We'll find out 100% next month, but we're pretty positive he was correct). We're finally going to be adding some blue into all the pink in our household.  Handley's first reaction was that she wanted another girl, but once the news set in, she was excited.  I wasn't surprised.  This pregnancy has been completely opposite of how I felt with the girls and my gut was telling me boy.  To be honest, the thought of a boy makes me a little nervous and unsure because I live in such a "girl" world right now.  However, I am very excited about being the mom of a boy and getting to experience all the boy things too. Robby is over the moon and can't wait to re-live his childhood wild side with a partner in crime.  

Harper can say that there is a baby in my belly and when we are out and about and she hears a baby crying in the store she usually does 3 things.  1) She announces that she hears a baby. 2) She lifts up my shirt, points to my belly and says "baby." 3) She lifts up her shirt, points to her belly, and says "baby." Handley is thrilled with the idea of another baby coming into our family.  She has already promised me that she is going to be an excellent helper and would like to feed the baby, hold the baby, buckle the baby and give the baby a paci.  I told her she could help "babysit" and that I'd pay her with Pez candy.  She keeps reminding me I told her that so I guess I need to stock up on Pez. 

And because every post is more fun with pictures, here is one of the girls playing sleep-over this morning.  

Today was day 3 of the snow/ice and we aren't the least bit stir-crazy yet.  Robby headed back to work today after two days home.  School is cancelled again tomorrow and I'm kind of glad.  They've had so much fun playing together and are great at keeping each other entertained.  I feel like their imagination and creativity get exercised when we are doing nothing but staying at home and it's a nice change to our usual very busy schedule.  

Snow Party

We enjoyed our snow day at home today.  Our neighbors are so much fun and we were very excited to spend the majority of the day outside playing in the snow with them.  When Handley woke up this morning she came in our room, looked out the window and lit up with excitement about all of the snow that had accumulated overnight.  She'd been talking about having a snow party with all of our friends and that is exactly what we did. 

Handley's first thought was that the snow was so much fun and she couldn't get enough.  Harper, on the other hand, wasn't as excited to be out in it. 

The girls had a blast sledding and the lid to our sandbox made a perfect sled to pull behind the... 

...golfcart!  

Yes, that is right, Robby put our golf cart to great use today and pulled all the kids around.

Not only did the kids have fun being pulled around, but the guys on our street did too.  They took turns snowboarding behind the golf cart.  

After being out a few hours everyone was getting cold and ready for a break so we headed inside for hot chocolate and a movie.  You can tell that the girls were all really tired.

After lunch and naps we headed back out and this time, Harper was much happier. I guess she'd gotten used to all of the snow and was happy to have her buddy, Calvin, out to play with too.

Some neighbors down the street had carved out an excellent sledding run and the kids (and adults) had fun going down it again and again.  Handley had just as much fun climbing up the hill as she did sliding down.

It was a fantastic day and we are hoping for a complete repeat tomorrow!

My NEW car!!!

The highlight of the weekend was getting my NEW car!!!  Robby and I have been looking at, test driving, and comparing new cars for months.  We test drove one on New Years Eve that we both loved, but I thought we had decided to wait at least a few more months before making a decision and really buying something.  Well, Robby had other thoughts and apparently was sure this was the one.  He came home from work on Monday and told Handley, "Tell Mommy she got a new car today."  WHAT!?!?!?  I was shocked, surprised and so excited.  Those who know Robby know that he is the most financially responsible person around so for him to go and do this was a huge shock. When I explained to Handley we were getting a new car she asked what color.  I told her white and she made a face and proceeded to tell me that she liked pink or purple cars most...not white.

Robby picked it up this weekend and when he got home Handley had changed her tune.  She went running outside and said, "Mom, you aren't going to believe this...TA-DA" as she pointed to the car.  :-)  She and Harper were eager to climb in and couldn't wait to start pushing every button they could get their hot little hands on (which led us to have a discussion about not pushing every button they could get their hot little hands on).

I have to say a HUGE THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to my awesome husband!!!

The rest of the weekend was pretty low key.  We enjoyed dinner out with some friends and then spent the rest of the weekend getting hyped up about all the snow expected here tomorrow.

Harper's bag

This week Harper has become attached to her "bag."  It is a purse that used to belong to me years ago and it's been in the playroom along with all of the other bags.  For some reason Harper found it this week and immediately became attached to it.  In her bag is a phone (or two) and her keys.  Some other items are added or taken out depending on what she is doing, but the phone and keys remain.  She used to just carry it around the house, but now her bag must come with us everywhere.  She wants to take it in the car, into stores and restaurants.  She slings it over her shoulder and is ready to go.  This afternoon we were backing out of the driveway when all of the sudden from the back seat I heard, "BAG!!!"  We'd forgotten it so I ran in to retrieve it for her.  She cracks me up.

We got back into the swing of things this week and Handley started back to school after having a long Christmas break.  She was excited to go back and see her friends and teachers. Wednesday was an exciting day because they each got to bring a toy to share with with their friends.  Handley decided to bring her new princess hair kit (that includes a hair dryer, curling iron, curlers, etc.) Apparently her choice was popular among her friends.  She told me, "everyone was just busting through to see it" and she had to say "now hold on everyone, we all have to take turns...one at a time."  Ha!  I can just see her now.

Harper has been missing Handley a lot this week while she is at school and is very happy when it's time to pick her up each day

Happy New Year!

Only a few days late, but Happy New Year everyone!  We had a fun New Years Eve.  That day just happens to be one of our best friends' birthdays so we took the girls to Gigi and Papa's to spend the night and made our way to celebrate Justen's 30th birthday with all of our closest friends.

We had dinner at a Japanese steak house (complete with the guys doing complimentary sake bombs since it was taking FOREVER to get the chef over to our table)  and then spent the rest of the evening at Jen and Justen's house counting down to the New Year.

Waiting for the countdown

Not sure why I'm the only one still wearing my festive headgear in this pic...

The girls had their own yummy Japanese steak-house dinner with Gigi and Papa and a very special celebration when they got home complete with cookie cake, sparkling juice, horns and New Years accessories.

Toasting to the New Year

We had a fantastic 2010 and look forward to another great year in 2011!