um, what will it be like searching for colleges...

Seriously, I am sitting at my desk stressed about the search for a preschool and wondering what is going to be like for colleges!!! Double l will turn three in July and we want him in a Preschool program in September. The school which we would love to send him is too far, a little pricey and most important has not started their 3 year old program yet. So, we are forced to search. At first sticker shock set in, the immediate area offers one possible program, but the others are not making it on the least. So we spanned out 20-25 minutes by car and oh boy, found tuitions upwards of 12K. FOR 3 YEAR OLDS!!! Holy cow, no way. We did find one program that may work and is more affordable. And then our church has what we hear is a wonder school on campus. It would take me upwards of 40 minutes if I hit traffic, but normally on Wednesday mornings for the Women's study I am in (LL goes to the church's Kids Joy program), it takes us 30 minutes. So, we added that to the list as well.

But there is a few challenges we face ---

1.) We do not know (really) anything about these programs, so we have to meet and tour and chat...

2.) If we like what we hear, see, feel, we move on to applying and pray there is room for our little guy. All registrations are the first week of February.

3.) If we decide, apply, and hooray accepted in!!! We have to potty train double l by the summer.

So I am stress and nervous and feel like a total slacker... We will see. Meanwhile, double l sat on the potty twice today (without being forced). No pee-pee and well definitely no poops, but at least he did not say no and refuse to try!!! I call it progress if nothing else :)

When did you babes start school? Any advice for this clueless mama...

potty talk

Let's talk potty, shall we...

Its been months (actually closer to a year) since we brought a potty seat home. Remember this post!

At first, double l would try it out, wear it on his head, talk about the potty. Then quickly, he was giving us a flat out "NO" whenever we asked if he had to go potty. Finally mid-December, I put my foot down and potty training started with some consistency. With a chart, stickers and lots of M&Ms in hand we had a few actual pee-pees on the potty and a very proud little boy. But as the week continued, something completely stopped. That would be POOP! Double l went 4 days with no poop and he was in pain. We spoke to the doctor and had to get some medicine. It turns out our little guy freaked himself out a little and would not poop. So we had to stop the training and get back on a regular #2 schedule. We aren't totally there yet, but definitely closer and double l is not in pain any longer.

So, I am asking, begging...

How do I potty train this child without causing major lower GI issues???

I bought a new potty -- Cars -- and he seems excited about it, but who knows. I need some types, because I really don't want to babes in diapers. Oh and as much as I tell people "no worries its not like he'll go to college in diapers"... He is absolutely not going to be able to start Preschool in fall if he is not potty trained.

Help!!!

Please Give!

Haiti Earthquate

With almost 40% of Haiti's population under the age of 14, Kris and I have chosen to donate to Compassion. I encourage you all to find a charity supporting the recovery efforts in Haiti and donate! The American Red Cross is always a great place to start when you don't know where to begin.

American Red Cross's texting campaign for Haiti has reached $8 million. This is awesome news and clearly shows the hearts of Americans are so loving and generous!

My heart is heavy and my prayers are overflowing for all the people effected by this earthquake. After reading over my last posts, I am overwhelmed by how blessed I am. The images I saw last night on the news will be forever in my memory.

boy, have things changed...

Plush blankets. Knit dresses. Soft cotton sleepers. Cable knit cardis. I have went from curbing my habit of endless shopping to buying something every other day for my sweet little girl. Its like I can't help myself. We did not find out with double l, so I just picked up basics to get us through the first month. But knowing, and lets be honest, knowing we are having a little girl -- is a whole different stories.

I just can not help myself! Sorry bub. Do you know of any deals as I tend to spend way too much???

*first purchase (the day after the ultrasound) was the plush little giraffe blanket in pink. I had too... I was given the white one as a gift before double l was born and he still loves it.

my daybook...

I haven't done this for awhile and thought it would be nice this morning as I munch on my toast!! I simply love The Simple Woman's Daybook!

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window... cold, and some snow still on the ground

I am thinking... today is going to be a good day!

I am thankful for... my husband. I don't think about it enough, but yesterday's sermon helped me gain perspective.

I am wearing... jeans, layered tees (all maternity NOW!) and warm socks with clogs.

I am remembering... all the errands double l and I need to complete today.

I am going... to the doctor for my flu shot (finally!), vet for Claire's frontline, post office -- I am GOING to workout today!!

I am currently reading... 'Same Kind of Different As Me'. It was recommended by Angie from Bring the Rain for her new book club and it is really an excellent book. I will be giving it as gifts this year!

I am hoping... I can get a lot accomplished this week without being overwhelmed by work. Over the last two weeks, I let my personal/family life/responsibilities take a backseat. Not going to happen anymore!

On my mind... Decorating my little princess' room. I can not stop thinking about it. I sent ideas to my bub and mother-in-law (who is an excellent interior designer!)

Noticing that... I have gained a lot of weight since Thanksgiving. Oops..

Pondering these words... "I vow to be a Proverbs 31 wife" (Stated proudly in front of family and friends on October 3, 2003 and unfortunately forgotten many time since then...)

From the kitchen... Chicken breast in the crockpot with stuffing. YUMMY and EASY.

Around the house... Dryer alarm going off, Old 97s playing in the kitchen, and Mickey Mouse singing in the livingroom (double l singing along)

One of my favorite things ~ fresh flower on the table and throughout the house. Its been awhile and I think I should pick up some this week!

Two of my favorite people... (yes, Claire is a dog, but so thinks she is a person)

working for the weekend...

It has been a long week. Actually, a long two weeks! The stress and annoyance is all work related, but it is over. Well, over for a few days that is... I am not working this weekend. I am just NOT!!! My part-time/flexible schedule to often turns into a "work all the time I can spare" schedule. Not this weekend! This weekend I am hanging with my guys and my Claire-bear. We have a play date, tons of stuff to do around the house, maybe a little Panera Bread. Double l loves their soup and with these freezing temps, we sure love soup! For now I am cozy under a plush blanket in my big, red chair. I am sharing it with my little prince and princess Claire is snuggled on the ottoman with us.

bonsoir mes amies

ah one of these days...

the big reveal...

So, are you ready for the big reveal?

It's a ...

GIRL!!!

Sweet, healthy, baby girl. With a normal size head (so far), but actually double l had a normal size head at 20 weeks and we all know how that turned out. Just like his mama, big head!!!

But seriously, we are overjoyed. We did not find out with double l and that was so much fun. But we decided to find out this time and ya know what??? That was a lot of fun too.

As always I coveted your prayers!!!



P.S. I so hope to start blogging regularly soon, but am a little (okay a lot) overwhelmed with work and recovering from sickness, and trying to get organized again! I pray life will slow down just a tad, so I can catch up...

um yeah, I do have a Christmas Recap...

Oh my goodness! So not only am I so behind on posting our Christmas recap (hello it January 2nd). I just was about to hit publish on my recap post, but needed to delete some bad HTML and I deleted the entire contents. I must say that's just an example of the past few days. We had a wonderful Christmas and spent so much time with the California crew. Its always so sad to see them go. When they left on Wednesday, I thought "okay, now I can clean up the house, post my recap, get the house back on track, etc..." But nope, double l got sick, I got sick, the house got so dirty and well, I became overwhelmed and cried!!! But now I am ready to move on. I feel better (even though I can't seem to kick this headache), double l is getting better, and my bub took down the tree. Its a good start and we are ready to begin 2010. By the way, bub and I decided we will refer to the year as "twenty ten" not "two thousand and ten". It was a very serious discussion!

But before I go on, here are the pictures that I tried to post earlier. Enjoy! It certainly looks like you all had a joyous Christmas as well. Happy New Year Friends!