Puppy Love

We haven't been doing much this month, and I haven't taken a lot of pictures.  But I have caught a few of Matilda in her cute puppiness.

Sam can be a bit physical with Tilly but I often catch him being really sweet with her too.  She was laying on the floor and Sam went and cuddled up with her and is watching a movie.  Pretty sweet.

Tilly has adopted our old brown chair.  It sits in front of our big sliding glass door/window.  She will sit on it looking over the arm rest and watch our neightbors.  You will also often find her sleeping in it.

Often in the most random positions.  Oh what a care free life.

I also had to snap this picture of Josh and Matilda.  When I did it he made some remark about using it for blackmail.  Josh really is sweet on that puppy.  That are a cute duo not to mention he is a handsome man!

Panic/Survival Mode

I'm pretty much running on survival mode right now.  I can't really comprehend that this baby will be here in a matter of weeks.  I'm 6ish weeks out from my due date and I wouldn't be surprised if he came 2 weeks early like Sam.  But I've been so preoccupied and busy that I really haven't had a chance to do anything but panic a little that this baby will be here soon and be excited that my mother is coming into town.

I'm scared to think that in the next couple weeks Elijah will start Kindergarten.  I'm throwing him into the world.  My sweet innocent spounge is getting thrown into a den full of other little boys and girls that I don't know and I can't filter what he will hear and learn.  AHhhh!  Not only that but I'm actually accountable to get him there everyday, ontime.  That means I actually have to pull together a morning routine.  No more lazing around when there's nothing on the schedule for the day.  On top of that I AM HAVING A BABY!  I know what babies do to my morning routines.  I know how I feel/function (more like not function) when I haven't gotten enough sleep.  I'm crazy to be doing this at the same time.  Thank goodness my mother will be here!  At least I know Elijah will get to school ontime the first month and hopefully that will be enough time for me to get my act together.

In the meantime I'm busy getting projects together for the baby, finding the baby's room, busy with YW's, planning Young Women in Excellence, keeping up on laundry and dishes, and trying to be patient with my restless boys.

Phew... I think it's time for a nap.

It's been HOT

I think Tilly's got the right idea...  Sprawl out on the air vent.

We've had record heat this month.  A lot of 90 degree days with high humidity.  It's been killer.  Needless to say we have been spending A LOT of time indoors.  The boys have been restless and I've had little energy to entertain them.  We are SO looking forward to Grammie, Aunt Bekah and Aunt Rachel coming to visit!

They grow SO fast

We've had Matilda for a month now.  She has just fit right into our family.  We all love having her around.  She is quite entertaining and frequently makes us laugh.  We are still working on the biting, which is getting a lot better, and the potty training...  Generally she just makes us all happy, including my proclaimed "non-dog person" husband.

Josh spends his early mornings with Tilly.  Lets her out of her crate, feeds her, takes her out, wrestles with her, and they have started jogging together.  It's pretty cute to listen in on their activities.  Tilly is very fond of Josh and I would be hard pressed to believe he doesn't recipricate.  She even pitched in to help him on his Home Theater Computer.  They are a cute duo.

Tilly's growing like a weed!  It's amazing how fast that happens.  I'd guess she is close to 11lbs now and we've had to loosen her collar.  I think she will eventually end up bigger than we thought/were told, but I have no regrets.  I think she's a perfect fit for our family.

She can sit, fetch, release her toys, go IN, and "go out" meaning potty.  She's a smart girl when you can keep her focused long enough to care.  She loves playing with the boys.  They run around the main floor and Tilly chases the boys cutting corners and surprising them and barking.  It makes for a pretty crazy house (my mom with vouch to that, she's heard it over the phone) and very funny to watch.   She likes ice cubes and will bat them around the floor and chew on them.  She also has radar for Bunny and Brownie, Elijah and Sam's precious stuffed animals.  She knows she's not supposed to but whenever she gets a chance she will run off with them but easily surrenders them.  Tilly will also bat around egg shell halves and carry them in her mouth, often covering her nose.  Pretty funny to watch.

Tilly will crawl under the couch on the main floor (our old love seat from our college days - WEIRD to say that!). She will pop out and jump at the boys.  I don't know how much longer she will be able to get under there.  It's becoming a tight squeeze.

Cute Kids

My posts lately have been about random things but I thought I needed to throw a picture in of my two biggest responsibilities.  They keep me busy and fill my days (mostly) with love.  My boys are such goofy kids who just love life (and are loving having a puppy in the house).

Toad

I came home from YW's last night to find this on the table in one of our drinking glasses:

Apparently the boys were out with Josh and Tilly last night and Elijah found and caught this little guy all by himself.  Josh and I were pretty impressed.  Elijah wanted to keep it in the cup so I could see it when I got home then we let it go outside.  I need all the misquito eaters out there I can get.  They are sure bitting!

Earthshake

This morning we were awakened early by the house shaking.  Yep, I have officially experienced my first EARTHQUAKE!  I find it ironic. 

Anyway, apparently it was a minor 3.6 magnitude quake.  It didn't even wake up the boys and Josh and I woke up long enough to wonder what was going on then rolled over and went back to sleep. 

Apparently Washington DC has had minor earthquakes in the past but this morning's was the strongest to hit within 30 miles of DC since they started keeping records (1974).

Pretty crazy!

See Usspost for an article on the quake.
There's also a cool seismic activity picture on the Maryland Geological Survey website but it is being really really slow loading right now.

Nursery Brainstorming

I've been surfing and drooling at baby stuff online for a few months now (okay 7). There is a ton of cute stuff out there made by such talented people. When I found out we were having a boy that limited everything by two-thirds but I am still excited about the possibilities.

This is the first time that I have had full freedom to decorate a nursery. After much hee-hawing I've decided to do a woodland theme. Granted I still haven't actually done anything but I do have a good idea of what I want to happen... eventually. (In all reality some of it is not likely to come together until my talented and motivated mother gets here. I love you Mom!)

I have plans to make a quilt for the crib as well as crochet an afghan (which I did for Sam and Elijah). I would also love to do a crib skirt and possibly crib sheets. Ambitious, I know.

As for decor, basically I'm leaning toward the colors orange, brown, blue, warm yellow, and lime green. I've also always been attracted to owls and trees. (Okay, so it seems the room is all for me.)  I think the wall color will either be a robin blue (not baby blue) or a warm yellow.  I keep changing my mind though. A mossy green would be nice too.

So here are pictures of ideas that I like. Let me know what you think.

I want to do a tree mural on the wall, either vinyl, painted or mod podged.  I think the little bird house light on the tree is adorable.  I also like the branches used for wall decor and for the mobiles and the ball lamp with honey bees wrapped around it. 

I've also started crocheting some of my ami critters.  I've got an owl and part of a hedgehog so far.

I've also been drooling over things on etsy.  Mostly fabric and project ideas.  Here's a list of some of my favorites.

What do you think?  Am I nuts?  Do you have any ideas to add?  I would love to hear your feedback.

Slave vs Mom

Yesterday Elijah watched some episodes of the show Liberty Kids. My mom (and sisters) recommended it and when I saw it at the library I picked it up. It's a cartoon series that goes through the events surrounding the American Revolution and supposedly it is rather accurate. Anyway, Elijah was glued (and I happily took a nap hence I can't give my personal opinoin) and apparently some of the content stuck with him...

Last night as we were settling down for FHE Elijah asks "What is a slave?"
I told him it was someone that is owned by someone else who has to work for them, isn't paid and can't leave if they want to.
He quickly processed that and responded, "Like you, Mommy."

Umm, well... not exactly.

Living in Maryland

My observations:

Trees, Trees, TREES (and more trees)
Humidity- UGH!
I really like my house
Rain does not make it cooler outside
I would hate to learn how to drive on these freeways
There doesn't seem to be a "Maryland" accent
Grocery stores are small, lacking in selection, and expensive
No Super Target or Super Walmart (closest is 30+ minutes away)
You can't see the sunset
Close to loads of things to see including historical sites
Josh is enjoying his job
No one has sprinkler systems, they let their grass die (go dormant) in the summer
Love the variety of birds in my yard
You have to drive on a freeway to get most anywhere

Seems like I am forgetting some that have been floating around in my head. I'll update my list as they come to me.

Hitting the Ball

While in Utah at my parents house the boys played baseball with Papa. I was surprised they both were actually able to hit the ball and they got to where they could hit it fairly well. Elijah and Sam LOVED it and everyone else also had a good time. I got some of it on video. Sam is especially funny because he would face the pitcher and you would tell him to turn his side to the pitcher and he would always do a 3/4 turn the opposite direction to do it.

Cute Chefs

The boys were "cooking" for their friends Ginger (Elijah's stuffed bunny) and Brownie (Sam's stuffed horse)the other day and I couldn't resist getting their pictures.  Elijah even had a tiny little chocolate cupcake mustache to complete the look and I love how his curls stick out of his hat. 

Meet Matilda

We have had a new addition to our family; a FEMALE addition.

Full Name:  Matilda Strong

Short Name: Tilly (very important to Sam)

Birthdate: April 17, 2010

Adoption Date:  June 16, 2010

Breed: Standard Schnauzer

Color: Salt and Pepper

Current Weight: 7.2 lbs

I've been drooling over dogs for a long time.  I've gone back and forth about timing and whether to get one from a shelter or a breeder, etc.  I've been watching craigslist for months and looking at breeders in the area.  I seriously considered getting a puppy when I was in Utah and saw the most adorable miniture schnauzer puppies.   When Matilda's post came up on craigslist this week I jumped on it we went to see her, fell in love and brought her home.  I haven't regretted!

She is a sweet, spunky little girl.  She can be really mellow and cuddly and she also loves to play.  She's very smart and is already showing good results with potty training.  She's good with the boys, who love her and pray for her, though still gets a little excited and when she gets excited she likes to bite a bit.  Something we are working on.  Josh has been SUPER cute with her.  She adores him and I'm convinced he recipricates.  Matilda keeps tabs on Josh when he is home and follows him around.  Overall Tilly has fit right into the family.  I think we are all happy about the addition.

She came crate trained.  Hightly recommend crate training with a puppy!!!  She is content to spend time in her crate, it has really helped with potty training, and she sleeps through the night (though she is ready to go out early).  With the crate, she is only allowed acces to the house when we know she is not likely to go potty and when I can watch her closely thus limiting the accidents in quantity and area (most have been on my wood floors which makes for easy clean up).

It's hard to get pictures of her because as soon as you try and get her attention she comes bounding at you to give you loves.  I did manage to get a few.  (I think it's kind of cute that instead of red-eye the flash makes her eyes blue.)

Cute Little Bambino

I did double duty with doctor's visits today.  One was my normal prenatal appointment the other was an echo sonogram to check the baby's heart.  Everything checks out.  Bambino is a healty, active boy that weighs in at about 1 lb 3 oz.

I love his cute little nose and lips.

Never Again

The boys and I went to the mall yesterday to check out a Gymberee sale (clearance + 30%off).  I found some cute things for bambino #3 and a few things for the boys for school next year. 

Anyway, while we were at the mall we passed the Motherhood Maternity store.  I've been looking for a cute, cool dress to wear this summer and decided I'd brave it real quick with the boys.

Never Again.

Thank goodness we were the only ones in the store and that the sole clerk was busy on the phone or I would have been TOTALLY embarassed.

While I was checking out the sale racks Sam was checking out the nursing bras and exclaiming "Mom, you have one of these!" and of course wouldn't stop touching them all when I noticed what he was doing.  Then, despite the signs, I decided to try on a couple dresses.  I herded the boys into the dressing room while Elijah complained "Are we going to see you naked?" -um... NO.  I tried on a dress over my undershirt and pants and Elijah innocently says "That doesn't look good Mom."  I agreed but not sure I needed him announcing it.  Meanwhile Sam is keeping himself busy licking the mirror.

All of this might have been worth it if I had found something I liked, but no such luck.  The search goes on and next time I will do it without my two little shadows.

Feeling the Love

Josh and the boys worked hard to make my Mother's Day a special day.  I got to sleep in a bit while they made pancakes for breakfast using this:

(well they attempted, we were having some plug issues.  It did get used later for dessert though)

We all got to go to church together and I got to wear this that Elijah picked out especially for me because "he loves me and it is my favorite color"

Elijah went up with the Primary and sang two Mother's Day songs (He was the cutest kid singing up there, but I might just be partial).  We came home and made smoothies with this which Sam proudly presented to me, again in my favorite color

We had steak, sweet potatoes, and corn on the cob for dinner and topped the day off with brownies, strawberries and icecream.  Overall a sweet day spent with the most wonderful men in the world.  Without them I wouldn't be who I am, a much loved mother.

Sam's Rainbow

Sam is often found with a crayon or marker in his hand.  He is constantly filling papers, often papers that are not his (bills, Elijah's artwork), with letters and drawings.  This was one of his first pictures that filled the whole page and was a complete scene.  Sam was very proud of it.  The picture has a blue sky, yellow sun, rainbow, bridge, river, grass, and grammie and Sam.

Cute Boys

Josh's sisters had the idea to give Grandma Strong a photo collage of all her grandkids for Mother's Day.  I went to my photo files looking for cute pictures of the boys and came up empty handed.  Needless to say it is time to have some new ones professionally done but I was able to get the boys to cooperate and let me take their pictures on Saturday.

I can say I have pretty cute kids!

Getting pictures of these boys is challenging.  When you tell Elijah to smile he gives you some kind of grimmace and when you tell him to look at the camera he will turn his head but his eyes are almost always looking somewhere else.  Sam is just plain goofy doing cheezy grins, sticking his tongue out, doing funny things with his eyes.  Lets just say they are a fun couple kids that make life crazy enjoyable.

Uno

I came downstairs this morning to find my boys huddled around the coffee table doing this:

We have been playing a lot of Uno lately.  Sam especially likes it.  He will ask Josh to play and Josh will try to put him off but Sam won't take No for an answer and Josh is great at giving in. 

Both Elijah and Sam completely understand the rules and are able to play by themselves with very little help.  Elijah manages to hold all his cards in his hands but Sam lays them all out on the table.  The boys do really well at holding their own and often they win.  Elijah is very competitive and has had struggles with completing some games because it's not going his way.  He is really sweet though and always appologizes when he plays a card that makes me draw a card.  He's not so nice to Josh and Sam.

It's pretty exciting that the boys are getting old enough to play games that are actually entertaining to their parents.  We proudly start our gamers young!

Baby's First Picture

Life's been chugging along here in Maryland.  I keep thinking about blogging, even take pictures specifically for posts, but just haven't felt like it.  Sorry!  I have an extra special picture to share and hopefully it will get the blog juices productivly flowing again.

Monday all of us (Elijah and Sam included) headed down to Maternal Fetal Medicine for my 20 wk ultrasound.  With the move (twice) I didn't get to an OB early on in my pregnancy and this was the first ultrasound I've had of our little bambino.  Also because of some family history I get to have extra detailed ultasounds which was really interesting for Josh and I but the boys soon tired of the black blob on the screen.  I think their questions, particularly Elijah's, started to annoy the technician  Well, everything checked out, it's officially a healthly looking baby with a darn cute profile that they guessed to weigh about 12 oz. 

Even more interesting... it's a baby BOY!  Yep, number three. It still hits me sometimes that I'm going to be the mother of THREE boys and stops my heart for a moment.  Oh MY!  Thank goodness for the gospel and Josh-- I know I don't have to handle it all alone.

Now I get to start planning the nursery.  I've started drooling over fabric (trying to ignore all the adorable girl prints) and plotting a quilt and colors.  There's a lot to be done before this bambino makes his debue.