school days

School started last week. I am hating it. I feel like I didn't really get to enjoy summer, it was so crazy being pregnant (and unbelievably hot!) and Zoe's broken arm, having a baby, all that made for a wacky time. Be that as it may, the kids had a great start to the year. Both Zoe and Parker told me they like their teachers and their classmates so far. The bus has been kind of a big deal, I have to be at the stop three times a day (along with my babies and kids and neighbor kids- a post on that sometime!) and I feel like I am always looking at the clock, I hate to be late! I am hoping to get more in the swing of things as time goes on.

Here is Zoe, all big and ready for third grade. She was mad they had gym the first day, it really made her fashion choices difficult. (her words not mine) She has 17 girls in her class and only 7 boys, what the heck?! I feel so sorry for her teacher, all that chatty girl drama would make me crazy. New shoes, why is it when you get new shoes for your kids, do their feet all the sudden look HUGE!?
Parker's new shoes, he was posing, big goof ball!My buddy, all ready for kindergarten. He is killing me, every day, giving me like a million kisses. Telling me he will miss me. I hate when kids get all big on you all the sudden.
Getting on the big yella fella (an old teacher term, sorry!). He loves it so far. No complaints. He rides home with Zoe but he sits with a buddy. He hasn't made any BFF's yet, but he says he is having a fun time. Whew, glad for that. I was extremely worried.

This guy is doing ok, but he definitely misses his buddies. He was yelling out the window as I was taking Zoe's picture, "hey mom, I want to go to the bus too!"

For as long as I can remember, the start of a school year was my new year. When I made some choices to start something new or make resolutions. This year I hope to work on my crafts and scrapbooks while the kids are at school in the afternoons and the babies are napping. That sounds like the perfect goal for me. Although, I have a feeling I will sneak in some cleaning and organizing too! I am also looking forward to getting back into shape but that sure does seem far off right now, way down on the priority list. Sigh. With that being said, my babies are sleeping and I am going to enjoy a few minutes of "me" time!

Good luck to all the kiddos out there starting school!

thank you Ernst Chain

Thank you to Ernst Chain, who is thought to be one of the founders of modern day antibiotics. I am forever in your debt sir. I am finally starting to feel better. Not like myself, sleep deprivation will do that to a gal but better none the less. I am hoping to catch up on everyone's posts and then share our back to school stories next week. I hope all of the kiddos have made it back to school (or will be shortly) and all the mommies out there are enjoying a little well-deserved peace and quiet.

nose to nose

I have been spending lots of nose to nose time with this little guy, gosh, isn't he so stinkin' cute!? I am also sick, P.U. so I am trying to recover, keep up with laundry, sleep a little, get ready for back to school, nurse sick hubby, nurse (the other kind) the baby like every hour, do some more laundry, complain about my dirty bathrooms, run an errand or two a day (haircuts today!), cook dinner and lunch and breakfast, write thank you notes, and read blogs (my favorite!). So hopefully, I'll be back to full posting power soon. Take care everyone.

not quite

Becca (All Stocked Up) asked me if I was feeling like a supermodel after giving birth since the load was significantly lifted, hmm not quite yet. I was actually feeling pretty good about the state of my body (most importantly my belly) when I was getting dressed this morning. So out of sheer curiosity, I tried to put on a pair of my regular jeans (not maternity). I was able to wiggle them up to my mid-thigh and that was it. Hmm. I wasn't discouraged, yet. I mean, it's only been 16 days since I had a baby, I know my bod isn't back to normal this soon.

Then I got the courage to get on the scale. Not good. I typically don't even watch as I get weighed during my last trimester of pregnancy, (let alone weigh myself a mere two weeks after giving birth!) it is just too depressing. Today was not a good day to weigh in. I was still not completely bummed. I had originally thought I would wait a solid month before stepping up to the scale. Today I was temporarily insane I think. I solemly put on my yoga pants and started the day.

A bit later, we got our bus notices for the kids in the mail and I was kind of irritated when I saw that the kindergarten bus stop was not in front of our house. My Parker is the only kindergartner on the street, you'd think they would pick him up right here. Instead, I have to walk down (and back up) our big hill three times a day (once for Zoe's pick up, once for Parker's and then at the end of the day.) You know I am not one to complain about extra opportunities to exercise but I do have to drag two babies with me to the bus stop each time, that is what is making me grumpy!

So anyway, I was telling Zoe about it and she said, "well that's good mommy, maybe all that walking will make you lose some of this." And she proceeded to smack my giggly belly. That is when I realized I was far from super model status!

sleeping cutie

This is the picture I used for Asher's announcements so you might be seeing it again if I can get them mailed soon. I just love it. I know some people would like to see him all wide-eyed, but I love a blissful sleeping baby. Don't even ask how many times I kiss those cheeks, it is quite gratuitous.

finally got it

It only took me four kids to learn how to swaddle a baby just right! (here is my sweetie at the hospital) I am finally a pro. I heard this funny bit recently, not sure where but here it is: having kids is like making pancakes, the first one is ok but the rest turn out perfectly. Just something I was giggling about earlier, and wanted to share.

Hope everyone is doing ok out there in blog-land, this organized mommy is having a little trouble getting her head wrapped around the fact that school is starting in a couple weeks! Argh! I have so much I want to do before then! Yikes. Take care all. Be back soon.

welcome

Well, almost a week later, I introduce to you.....

our sweet Asher Joseph. Born on Saturday, July 30 at 2:41 PM (after almost 24 hours of inducing him to come!). He weighed 8 pounds and 3 ounces and he was 21 inches long.

He is absolutely adorable and I am not afraid to say it.

He has THE proudest brothers and sisters, ever.

I love him a whole lot.

I hope to post again soon (especially about his name since I know Sarah, Princess of quite A Lot, is laughing right now!) but I'm sure you'll understand if I take some time off to kiss him endlessly. I am also having some camera issues, boohoo, that I hope to get resolved soon.

Thanks for all your kind wishes and thoughts lately :) they are much appreciated.