Small, Positive Changes

We've had a few changes this week. The girls finished school, Nora got a big haircut, and we majorly rearranged the bedrooms in the house.

Originally, we used the back room as a room for all four girls, the small front room for Jason's and my bedroom, and the larger front room for a schoolroom/playroom.

But eventually, Jason tired of having to do the shuffle to get to his side of the bed, and I started to dream of a nursery type bedroom for the two little girls.

There was a very large bookshelf in the schoolroom but my cousin who had made it was smart enough to make sure it could be divided into sections. What he forgot to do was stain the sides that were touching.

That made it a little confusing to figure out where we could place the sections after we separated them into different rooms so that the un-stained side didn't show, but eventually it was all properly arranged.. (Bless Jessica and her strong, helpful arms.)

I put one of the full iron beds in the small front room, moved in a dresser, and the smallest section of the bookshelf.

I also set up a drawing/coloring area with a nice-sized wall space for hanging future artwork.

This little corner holds Eily's desk and as of right now it looks very plain. I have a beautiful crosstitch that my Aunt Melissa did for my room when I was three that will be hung on the wall once I get it framed. Eily may hang a bit of her artwork here, as well. I still need to paint the two rocking horses- but I've been saying that for seven and a half years now. I do think that one day I will get it accomplished. It may be when I have grandchildren, but it will happen.

Once I get the back room as I want it and my room painted and decorated, I will share photos of those as well.

Scroll down for a few more photos of The Nursery.

Happy (late) 3rd Birthday, Nora James!

Well, I dropped the ball and didn't get Nora's birthday video finished on time. My usual video-creating site is disbanding so I'm on the search for another one. 

For Nora's birthday, we gave her a mouse and a puppy. Don't scream, the mouse is a fake and comes with a matchbox bed. The puppy, though, is very, very real and Nora is once again in dog heaven. He looks an awful lot like Samson but that wasn't planned. So far, Nora has named him Kronk, Oliver, and Mutty. The rest of us are still referring to him as The Puppy. I guess we really should settle on a name pretty soon. 

A "Peach" of a Morning

Saturday

We are still plugging away at the rent house. The kitchen is totally put together which feels like a giant hurdle has been crossed. I think I may go tomorrow afternoon and get the computer and wi-fi up and running. Then on Monday, we should be able to move our clothing and dressers over from my parents' house. 

This past week, the construction workers finally started on mom's new kitchen. Nora has enjoyed chatting with the four men as they work and sharing their peanut butter crackers during break time. Yesterday, we left as they were leveling with string. When we got home, we found this by the front door. 

Love my babies. 

Nora's 2nd birthday party

Aunt Sarah threw a little family birthday party for Nora this year. She did a lot of fun decorative things like a streamer across the driveway that we drove through and streamers hanging down as we walked through the door. There were party hats and a Birthday Girl button. It was a fun, family-filled evening. Thanks, Aunt Sarah!!

Ahem,

I have a few things to say.

(insert corny Grandpa joke about "don't you always" "I feel a draft" "make way for a woman with a baby...")(Ok, that last one wouldn't apply but I bet he would say it anyway. :)

1. Last Saturday I was feeling rather humdrum about this whole single-parenting thing and very lonely and pretty strung out and basically ready for a hug-n-a-kiss and wholly tired of myself being grumpy every hour of every day. I was counting down the hours until Jason would be home. It was a lot of hours. Jason called around eight-thirty with his nightly call. "Hey there. How's the girls? Whatcha doing? Oh yeah, I'm on my way home."

It was less than 24 hours but it was so good to have him home again. I didn't tell the girls he was home and let them be surprised when they woke up Sunday morning. It was fantastic and Nora basically didn't leave his side the entire time. Even as he was leaving, she kept kissing and hugging him through the open window until a car finally came up behind him and he was forced to drive away. But now it's only 5 more days until he's home for a few days and that seems like an easy amount of time to handle.

2. I love our realtor. This man knows exactly what he is doing. I have high hopes.

3. Nora has a new skill.

4. Today was a really, really good day. We spent a very large portion of the afternoon outside in the front yard with blankets, water, books and various wheeled objects. The slight breeze was perfect and the neighborhood kids weren't home from school yet so we didn't have to put up with Dale trying to get in on the the action. Nora was dirty from head to toe so you know she had a great time. Then we had a healthy supper that everyone actually liked (!!), showers/baths and a good bit of reading time. Nora went to sleep without a fight and the girls had minimal bedtime requests.
It was a good day.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Nora! (a little late)

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

iPhoto Booth is just too much fun

The exit (and Dora)

This morning, a few minutes before my alarm was to go off, Nora started crying from her crib. I hopped out of bed in a bright and happy mood, completely full of energy. You know, like I do every morning,  and went into her room. As I neared her crib, she suddenly stopped crying and just lay there with her eyes closed.

Could it be? Was she really going back to sleep? This was too good to be true. I turned and started back towards the door but then the crying started again. I turned and walked back to her crib; it stopped. Slowly, slowly, I crept backwards and sat on the edge of Claire's bed and waited, trying not to get my hopes up and trying not to breathe too loudly. She didn't move. She didn't cry. Then I started the most ridiculous exit of her room. I slid my bottom down towards the floor, trying ever so hard to put all my weight on my wrists and not on my knees. I can't tell you how many times those popping knees have ruined a good stealthy exit. I made it to the ground without incident and very, very slowly crawled towards the door. It was the strangest crawl I've ever performed, as I tried so very hard to not move in a way that would cause any pressure on any type of joint that is known to pop. As I was crawling across the floor, I started laughing. What a crazy thing for a grown woman in her thirties to be doing, first thing in the morning. The things we parents will do for a few extra minutes of sleep. I made it to the door and cracked it open. It didn't make any noise. I slowly slithered myself through the small crack and then, as I slowly pulled the door closed, reveling in my moment of triumph, the door made a very loud squeak. I froze.  Nothing happened. I pulled it some more. It squeaked. I froze. Nothing happened.

There is no dramatic ending to this story. I am lying in bed, about to get up and start my day, and Nora is sleeping in her crib. The exit was a success and I'm pretty sure my knees will be sore for the rest of the day due to that ridiculous crawl, but it will be totally worth it. :) A quiet morning with a few minutes to myself makes such a big difference in our day. 

Also, if you have ever seen an episode of Dora the Explorer, you must watch this. Hilarious. 

http://youtu.be/TnpTcrtsN3U  ( I can't get the link to work so you'll have to copy and paste. But do it. So very funny.)

Khaki Bear was cold when he woke up from his nap.

Sundays

I can build a tower that's as tall as my pigtail.

She

is precious.

Clean Teeth and Mohawks

Daddy kept Nora today for a couple of hours while Elaina and I went to a dentist appointment. These were the text pictures I received from him while I was gone. Looks like they had fun together, doesn't it?

This week on...

If there was a reality show about my little family, what would it be called? Jason's suggestions were Estrogen 101, Outnumbered and House of Estrogen. I think I'm seeing a trend here.

Winner gets a $6 gift card to Star Wash!



Nora sang a few songs before she got the fever virus.

Mama shook Nora's chin.

Eily made up a song,

and then another.

Don't miss next week's episode where Mama and Daddy redo the main bathroom. It's sure to be a thriller!

Nora's favorite thing to do.

Which do you like better?

My goodness. My heart can't take it.

Chubbs is just too cute for words. So I'll just use pictures.

#4

I just want to sit and absorb the cuteness.