Missing Blankets

We searched every room, top to bottom. Looked under every bed. Checked the cars and in the backyard. Turned over every couch cushion. Looked in every cupboard. And then we did it all again. How could both of their blankets be missing at the same time? Where were their blankets? THE FREEZER!

Sweet, Sweet Children of Mine

There's nothing like being pregnant and not feeling attractive. I'm not complaining, pregnancy is temporary, it doesn't last forever. Chris does an ok job of making me feel...not ugly/fat/unattractive, you get the idea. But there's something like a child's honesty. I know my blondies love me so when Tatum pokes at my love handles and says, "Mom your skin is squishy," I can smile back. Or when I'm pushing Tucker in a grocery cart and he looks down and says, "Mom, your legs are fat," I can ruffle his hair and pretend he didn't say what he just said. Or when I put on one of my 2 church outfits and Tatum says, "Why do you always wear that dress?". Or when I'm dressing this morning and Tuck says, " Your back is getting fat," I can grit my teeth and try not to oink back. Aren't they sweet?

Boutique

5 Weeks and Counting!

FIVE WEEKS AND COUNTING! That's only 35 days assuming I don't go into labor before then. Originally I was going to be induced December 10, 2 weeks before my due date but things are a little different now. With Tatum and Tucker I took castor oil which put me into labor BOTH times but I don't want to chance anything with this baby. So, my friend Mandy has an herbal regimen she follows 5 weeks before she's due that I thought I'd try. I can't not do anything, I need to feel like I'm kind of in control so starting today this is what I take.

Evening primrose oil is an excellent source of prostaglandins, which readies your cervix for labor.

The 5W blend supplies nutrients supportive to the female glandular and reproductive systems and should be taken during the last five weeks of pregnancy. The formula contains iron for the blood and for vitality, manganese to support body tissues, and selenium to assist in healthy tissue growth.

Red raspberry leaf tea is a uterine tonic used by Native Americans for thousands of years. It tones your uterus by helping to "focus" your Braxton Hicks contractions. Think of its job as helping your uterus do more effective exercising while you are pregnant. It helps to tone the uterus after delivery as well, shrinking it back to size more quickly and reducing bleeding.

The first week you start with 1 capsules of 5W, 3x's a day. Week two it's 2 capsules, 3x's a day. Week 3-5 3 capsules 3x's a day. Every time I take a 5W I also take an evening primrose oil capsule and twice a day I drink the tea. It's a lot to take but I want this baby to come!!

Here's me in all my glory, 34 weeks. Jersey Girl weighs 5 pounds, 7 oz. She's growing great, she's in the 56th percentile and everything is looking SO good. She's being monitored twice a week so if there's anything new we'll catch it! I'll be induced December 18th but cross your fingers she'll come sooner. We're watching, waiting, and praying things continue to go well and we can't wait to hold our girlie.

Flu Shots

Today at the police station they were doing free flu shots and we, rather I, decided to take full advantage. I warned the kids a day before the dreaded event so we could discuss it and so they could get their whining out. Tucker and I picked up Tatum from school Friday and were off. It was a fun car ride, they knew exactly where we were going and had A LOT to say about it. Tatum said, "shots are BORING!" while Tuck said he would puuunch the police officers. I went first and then Tuck. I had to bribe him with gum to get him to take off his jacket. He did pretty good. Of course he was crying before it even happened but quickly calmed down after. Poor Tatum was cowering in the corner sobbing while Tuck was getting his shot. It took both the fireman and I to hold down Tatum. I'm sure everybody in the station heard her scream! I promised them lunch after their traumatic ordeal, they wanted pizza so off to Barro's to meet Dad, Noni and Papa. As we walked to the car I asked Tuck to hold my hand and he said, "I can't, my arm is too sore." I knew his arm hurt because mine did!

Tatum post shot.

Enjoying their well earned pizza.

Swim, Bike, Run

On Sunday Chris was invited by his friend Matt to participate in a sprint triathlon Saturday, as in 6 days. Ummm, Chris hasn't been to the gym in 3 months so why he committed is a mystery. Saturday morning dawned and him and Matt were off early to Coolidge for the big race. Renae and I decided we'd be good, supportive wives and load up the 61/2 children and make the trek to watch our husbands.

Chris and Matt just finishing swimming are quickly throwing on shirts and shoes and are off to bike 10.2 miles. The blondies and I ran over to watch Chris's exit and Tucker was SO sad his dad couldn't give him a love before he biked.

We found a shady spot to wait for the dads to complete their bike rides.

The best thing to do while you wait is eat, so the rugrats enjoyed donuts and juice while keeping their eyes peeled for their tired dads.

And he's off to run 3.6 miles.

Matt finishing strong.

And Chris, 2 minutes behind him looking...well...tired.

The boys enjoyed themselves, I guess. Matt wanted to know why he does these races and Chris was glad he didn't barf a second time. Chris finished in 1 hr. 19 mins which is pretty darn good for not having trained even one minute!

B-day Afternoon

Tatum and her little friend Jaidyn have birthdays' days apart and because they are such good friends we decided to take them out for a birthday afternoon. It started with matching outfits.

Here they are, from their bows to their belts these girls matched.

Lunch was at the delicious Sweet Cakes.

Being silly while they waited for their b-day lunch.

Enjoying a fancy meal of grilled cheese.

We let them pick out a treat which of course matched and then we sang Happy Birthday to them. It was fun to watch them be shy but excited.

Devouring their matching cookies.

After lunch we went to the mall so they could pick out a fancy necklace at Claire's. We had such a fun afternoon but this is how it ended, with attitude. I love Tatum and her little attitude, she just wouldn't be Tatum if she wasn't sassy. My favorite picture is her rampage face. She finally got over us leaving and asked if we could "go on another hot date" soon.