Happy Birthday Baby!

Baby is 1-week-old today! So I'm finally coming up for air. I'll keep it short, because, well you know, who has time to bathe when there's a newborn around, let alone blog.

I will spare you all the details of the horrendous delivery, but let it be known that "fast and furious" does not necessarily mean easy! This mama is still definitely in recovery phase, but looking at this adorable little face makes it all worth it.

Thanks for all the well wishes!

I'm going back to bed.

Taking A Break

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This morning I'm getting everyone ready for our big trip to visit my parents in Kansas. All five of us are flying on Friday which means I have to pack at least four and a half of us. I pack the kids and myself and get Hubby's bag started with the basic essentials. you guys know the drill.

After washing loads of laundry, packing those clothes, cleaning up the house from our busy weekend, and running through my to-do list for the week, I decide to take a break. We're all upstairs in Oldest's room listening and singing along to one of my favorite kid CDs and I get the bright idea to whip out my violin and play along to the songs. I played the violin for about 12 years but haven't played it in about that long either. About once or twice a year I may play a song or two from the past, vow to take lessons again and revisit my old hobby but never touch the thing for another four to six months.

Now I'm playing some songs, getting about every second or third note correct and not doing so bad and after the first song, Oldest gave me a standing ovation. Wow! I'm not so bad. I was so proud of myself I go on and play a few more songs getting noticeably worse but determined to keep going. At about the fourth or fifth song, Oldest says, "Mommy, don't you want to take a break?"

Clearly I wasn't as good as I thought.

I gave the kids cupcakes after our little music session. Everyone is happy and having a great time but as typically happens with our house, we go from great time to great drama. Youngest was no longer amused with Daughter and in this last picture he's reaching out and getting ready to yank at her at hair. Then World War 3 starts and I had to break up the fight getting myself dirty and cupcake crumbs all over the carpet I just cleaned up. Nice.

I need a break.

J. Fergie's New Baby!!

Hello Bloggers! Please help me in welcoming J. Fergie's newest addition to the Fergie household. Fergie and her Hubby welcomed baby number three into the world at 6:37 am this morning. Baby boy weighed in at 7 pounds, four onces. After three pushes and no epidural, Mommy and baby are doing well.

Summer Love

So we are over a month into our summer vacation. Oldest got out of school in mid-May. Nuts, I know. Daughter has been out since end of May and Youngest, early May.

Being home with all three all day five days a week has been, well, interesting. Fun, for sure, but as you SAHMs know, non-stop work. But it's very rewarding and I'm enjoying it. Many people can't understand how I can have a law degree and want to be at home with my kids instead of out there making money but it's really simple for me. They are my kids and if I have the option of being at home with them, I'll jump at the chance. I worked at the firms, I argued in court, negotiated settlements with opposing attorneys, blah, blah, blah. But I'm having a good time trying to wrestle the hot toy of the minute of out of my screaming two and three year old's hands. Try negotiating a deal between those two, almost impossible. Anyhow, I do have a job that is law related but I can't help enjoy the fact that I have the option of not teaching in the summer and taking THREE MONTHS OFF instead. Priceless.

So back to our fun filled summer--I'm trying to stick to a very loose schedule that ensures a nap at some point in the afternoon and meals when people are hungry. This is very good for me considering I used to stick by an hourly schedule that included time for every thing in the day. That's too much pressure. We go swimming a couple days a week, have a morning walk on most days, go to the library when it's too hot or too rainy, and play on the floor when we just want to stay in our 'jamas until lunch.

One thing I make sure we do is go to the gym. My gym has a great children's center and the kids enjoy going just as much as I enjoy my little break during the day. Some days I pack their lunch (which is very exciting for Daugther and Youngest), and the little crumb snatchers march their way to the play room holding their little lunch bags. It's so cute.

Don't let me fool you, not all days are sunny and rosy. As I mentioned, the younger two can fight like I don't know what and Oldest can complain about everything without any effort. On those days I feel like I need a stiff drink to make it until Hubby gets home.

Which brings me to the next thing I've been making sure I do, and that's spending some girl time with friends. Girl time normally involves a Martini of some sort at a time when our Hubbies are at home trying to put kids in the bath or warm up bottles. We drink our 'Tinis, enjoy a nice dinner, and can talk about anything from baby poop to sexy summer shoes.

So far I'm really enjoying my summer.

Kevin, Ray & Paul: My New BFFs

So for the first time in my life, I actually watched most of the NBA semi-finals and all of the finals this year! I don't know why this year was different - usually I am so resistant to watching any televised sports, but I got really into it this season. I knew when the games were coming on, players' names, random team trivia - it was fun. And most of all, it was fun to watch the games with hubby rather than flee to another room as soon as I heard the NBA finals theme song come on like I am used to doing. Last night's game was so good! We were up waaay past our bed time because we couldn't believe what was happening.

Now that it's over, I have to say that I'll miss our 9pm t.v. b-ball dates just a little.

But I'll never admit that in public.

The Novelty Has Worn Off

Ok seriously. I'm so pregnant right now it's not funny. I'm gi-mongous, hot, heavy, achy, exhausted, and cranky. I think it's about that time! Plus my belly is so tight right now that it's uncomfortable. And don't get me started on the Braxton-Hicks.

So it could be any day now! I just need the little guy to give me the weekend so that we can wash his clothes; pick up and assemble the furniture; and pack my hospital bag.

Oh and, it would be nice if I could get my hair and toes done. Call me vain if you want to, but it's before the baby comes or not for another 2 months!

Oh and I need gifts "from the baby" for Chatterbox and Giggles. I heard that goes over big time.

Alright baby, give Mommy until Monday, m'kay?

Like mommy like baby

This is my conversation with DD as we are driving home this evening:

Me: How was your day?
DD: Huh?
Me: How was your day today DD?
DD: Huh?
Me: No more "huhs".

About 5 minutes later...

DD: Mommy, how was your day?
Me: Huh!?!?!?!?
DD: Mommy..........no more huhs!!!!!

I guess I see where she gets it from :)

*UPDATED* Never a Bridesmaid, Only a Bride

So one of my close college friends is getting married this fall and she asked me to be a bridesmaid. Of course I accepted without hesitation, because she is one of my very good friends and I am so happy to be able to share her special day with her.

Oh, and she doesn't read this blog :)

Here's the thing -- her wedding is going to end up costing her bridesmaids an arm and a leg. A list of our expected costs:

Dress
Shoes
Accessories
Shower gift
Bachelorette Weekend in Vegas or Puerto Rico (airfare, hotel, food, other expenses)
Travel to the wedding, Hotel, Other expenses
Wedding gift

Maybe the problem is just my own since I will be on unpaid maternity leave in about 3 weeks, but I already forked over $260 for the bridesmaid dress and the prospect of spending close to $2000 when all is said and done is not an option for my household.

What I want to know is: at what point is a bride supposed to be conscious of the cost she is asking her maids to bear? Of course it's her day and no one will say anything to her, but isn't it a bit much to ask your friends to spend so much on your event? I've never been a bridesmaid before, so maybe this is standard operating procedure, but I know when I was planning my wedding, I was very aware that my bridesmaids would have to travel to my wedding and bear those costs, so I made sure to make everything else as affordable as possible. The dresses were $75; the shoes were $40 and I gave them the earrings I wanted them to wear as a gift. They all looked beautiful (if you ask me) and they didn't need to break the bank.

So does anyone have any etiquette advice on this topic? Is the rule that it's "her day" and she should be able to ask her friends to do whatever she wants? Or is there some level of courtesy that should be extended to her friends?

A potentially touchy subject, I know. But I'm curious...

HOW BIZARRE...
I was just on CNN.com reading the "Most Popular" section and saw this article, talking about this very subject. Seems that according to the bridal coach quoted in the article, the bride has the "responsibility to be compassionate and considerate." Which makes me feel at least like I'm not crazy. But it's still would be hard to say "no." No?

He Did It...

History in the making.