Keep on Keepin' On...

So today, I'm supposed to do what I've already done. Well, I already gave you the update on my sink from last night. And it is now 3:45PM and I am still not dressed. I can partially blame that on my Sweet Caroline who decided to awaken to be nursed about every 2-3 hours last night. She hasn't done this since about 5 weeks of age. So hopefully it is a fluke. But I didn't have anywhere to go today, and those two things together didn't make a very good combo. Tomorrow is another day.

Happy Birthday to my Big Bro!

Happy 39th Birthday to my Big Brother!

When I think of my brother, Mick, I think of lots of great things. He makes me laugh and always has, he loves to tease me (especially when he and Dave are together- I don't stand a chance!), he has one of the loudest laughs I know, and he is a great father and husband. I think of pulling fingers, arm farts, a beer on the back patio, trumpet playing, country music, Mickey Mantle, and Stretch Armstrong. He is a computer genius, a weather junkie, a coach, and a "smart great guy." I think of crying the night he went away to college, and the day he drove all the way to Nocona when I was in labor with my first child. I think of him walking his son down the aisle in a wagon at my wedding, and the pictures of him and his daughter going to the father-daughter dance. but I think my favorite thing to think of is his nickname for me. It is one of the things I love the most about him- how I feel when he uses it. So here's to you, Mick- Happy Birthday!

Love,

Half-Pint

FlyBaby- Day 2

So Day 2 for us FlyBabies challenges us to get dressed all the way to our shoes. Yikes! First of all, I hardly ever wear shoes in my house. Second of all, and most importantly, I MUST have my breakfast and coffee before getting dressed and ready for the day (Except on Sundays when schedule and 3 kids to get ready for church all by myself force me to switch the order). And third of all, there are days when I am lucky to even get a shower, much less get dressed to my shoes! Plus, this is supposed to include make-up and hair. Now she's really pushing it! But, FlyLady has a plan for getting me more organized and I'm guessing more productive, so I must at least put forth the effort. I think I will ammend this challenge to read, "Get dressed to presentable by lunch." Or soon, "Get dressed to presentable by school time." I'll let you know how it goes.

Update on Shiny Sinks:

FlyLady hit the nail right on the head with this one. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to come into the kitchen this morning. I think it really smiled at me! Even though it was 11:00 last night, I made sure the dishes were in the dishwasher, the counters were clean and everything was in it's place before I went to bed. My mother always told me this "shiny sink" concept was important, but for some reason I never listened. (Sorry, Mom! I'm actually just now catching on to leaving everything cleaned up when I leave the house for a trip!) So last night I did it and this morning, it paid off. However, it didn't last very long. Tonight I couldn't empty the sink because I had forgotten to run the dishwasher today. So everything is at least rinsed, trash is in the trash, things are put away, and the dishwasher is running. But I have a not-so-shiny sink. Oh, well. Baby steps!

Shiny Sinks

I am now a FlyBaby. "What is that?" you ask. Well, I have made an attempt to begin organizing my home. Yes, I have made these attempts before and it never lasted. And this attempt may not either, but I'm doing it anyway. So I have found two wonderful websites for organizing. The first one is FlyLady. (More on the other one another time.) You may have heard of her. She creates lists of things that will help you get on the road to organizing and cleaning your home. So, I have joined and will get daily reminders and tips from her. As a new member, I am a FlyBaby. And I have Beginner Baby Steps that will help me get started. The first one is "Go shine your sink." Now, I admit that I am horrible at keeping the kitchen sink clear of dishes. It is one of my downfalls. Most of the time, I wait until the next day to get the dinner dishes in the dishwasher because I am just too tired after dinner. Not to mention that often the dishes will stay in the sink for more than one day (exactly how many I refuse to say!). So, here is my commitment- to myself, to my family, and to you (so hold me accountable!)- I will not go to bed at night until my sink is shining. That way, I can wake up to a smile in the morning!!

Portraits

Every year for the kids' birthdays, we take pictures and commemorate how they look at that age. A lot of times we go to JCPenney or other studio, but this year I wanted to save money. We took the kids to our friend Kim's house. She and her husband Ken work so hard on their yard and their back yard is especially beautiful with all the plants, flowers and a wonderful pool. Here are the top picks for 4 years and 6 years:

I think we will redo Charlie's because he is squinting.

Anyway, here are some runners-up:

And a few with Baby Sister:

This last one, although too cute, was done with my camera on the wrong setting. UGH! Nothing is ever perfect in Kiddie Land, is it? To tell the truth the kids hated this portrait "sitting." It was sooooo hot, and the ground was hot, and the grass, of course, dirty. And all they wanted to do was go swimming, but I didn't think to bring their swimsuits. Yay, Mom! Anyway, all we needed was one good one for Madeline and one good one for Charlie, and we got that even though I may redo Charlie's. At least I didn't spend $70, right, Honey?

Caroline's Highlights

These are some of the things Caroline has been up to lately. She's held her head up while on her tummy, she's had her first swim (which she loved), and she is now four months old. At four months, she wieghed 15lbs. 8oz. and is 27 inches long. Her weight is in the 90th percentile and her length is above the 95th percentile! She is still sleeping through the night (Yay!), and loves playing with her thumb. Still no paci or bottle, but nursing like a champ! She is laughing more regularly now which is music to my ears! She is trying to roll over and is successful every once in a while. She still has Reflux and we keep increasing her meds to try to cut it out. Her throwing up is better, though still occurs, and the doctor wants her to go see a specialist about the shape of her head (flatness) just to make sure everything is ok. Please be praying about that with us and I will let you know when we go.

Madeline's 4th Birthday

Here are some pics of Madeline's birthday party. It was a Strawberry Shortcake party with a few of her friends. They decorated sun visors, dipped strawberries, had cake and ice-cream, and of course opened presents. The present shown is with her excitement at getting a Leapster of her own from Mimaw and Pop-Pop in Florida. And even baby sister was dressed for the occasion!

At Four Years Old:

• She still loves to cuddle with Mom
• She still climbs into our bed almost every night
• She loves to play with Charlie- anything from dolls to Superheroes
• She loves Barbies, Princesses, animals, and dolls
• She loves to make Caroline laugh and seeing her with her eyes open
• She doesn't like to be left behind or left out ("Mom, wait right there!")
• She is excited to buckle her own seatbelt in the van
• She is in Tumbling class
• She wants to be a cheerleader and a mermaid when she grows up
• What a Drama Queen!
• She is learning about lying and sharing
• She loves to role play and use different voices for different characters
• She loves to say her prayers ("Thank You for this world so sweet...")
• She is still my Little Lovebug!