Today I Wanted to Sit Down and Read a Good Book.

But I didn't.

Too busy.  The siblings came home yesterday (thank you for all your prayers!!!) and another long lost friend was in town.

I do have some books on a list, thanks to my friend Rachel's book review post, but I'm open for more suggestions.  It's time to go on a reading spree!

So give 'em to me - the titles that come to mind first (only the good ones please).

And I'm not into sex, foul language or crude humor. 

Thanks!!!!

Today I Had One of Those Moments That Make It All Worth It.

I used to take Ash into the shower with me all the time, when she was little.  I don't know why but I haven't done that as much with Britt.  Last time Britt was in the shower she enjoyed playing with the spray and the toys in the tub.  Obviously it had been too long since her last shower because she starting freaking out as soon as we stepped in.  I couldn't put her down, so I sat in the tub, angled so that the warm spray hit both of us.  I sat her in my lap, belly to belly with legs on either side of me and she just laid her head on my chest while I washed my hair.  I cuddled her for a while and we just relaxed under the warm water.   After a little bit I realized that Britt had completely fallen asleep!  **laugh**  It was so nice, calming, and balmy - she just closed her eyes and slept.  I pulled her back and just looked at her, all peaceful and sweet.  I didn't want to wake her up but we did have to get out eventually. 

I'm glad we could have that little, special time together this afternoon.  She was a little beastess for the most of the afternoon.  :)

(my showering sleeping beauty.  pic taken 1.1.11)

Today I Took My Kids Out to Play In the Snow.

It doesn't snow here very often and when it does, it is usually just a dusting.  Well, we got our second snow this winter (the last one was terrible!) and it dumped AGAIN!. 

It was Britt's first time playing in the snow and she really enjoyed it. 

Until she fell face first into the cold, fluffy, wet stuff. 

Then she was mad and sad and wouldn't stop crying until I took her inside and took of  her snowsuit, hat, boots, and mittens. 

Then she was fine again. 

Haha. 

At least Ash had a good time playing outside several times today.

(my snow babies.  they're making rather funky faces, but aren't their snowsuits so fun?)

(sad baby after getting picked up out of the snow)

Today I'm Going to Tell You the Story of How I Acquired So Many Siblings.

I am the oldest of 20. 

I have 20+ siblings if you count the marrieds.

It happened like this:

My parents had me in their mid twenties.  I was so awesome they decided to have more.  My other biological brothers and sisters followed over the next 18 years.  That's how old I was when Sam came along.

Dad said that if Sam had been the first, he would've been the last (and only).  Haha!  He was beyond colicky. 

Anyways, it was really awesome to grow up with so many people.  My parents had 10 biological kids (1 set of twins).  It was never boring and we're all pretty close.

When Sam was around 5, my parents discovered Adoptions Advocates International through a friend.  They felt very strongly that they had children in Ethiopia.  It's not an easy (or inexpensive) process, but that did not deter them and two girls joined our family.
 
Then a boy. 

Then a set of 18 month old triplets (now THAT was crazy!!!). 

Then a brother and sister set. 

Now Mom, Molly, and Sam are in Ethiopia picking up a 7 year old boy and a 5 year old girl (they are not blood related). 

To say that my parents feel this is their calling is an understatement.

It's pretty amazing.

(picture of one of my little sisters, taken almost four years ago)

One more thing, kind of funny.  One of the triplets calls herself "Opian."  How stinkin' cute it that??  :D

Credit to CK for reminding me to tell how I ended up with such a large amount of siblings.

Today I'm Asking For Your Prayers.

My mother and two of my siblings are currently in Ethiopia to pick up two more kids.  I'm gonna have a new brother and sister!  Tomorrow is their day to go to the US Embassy.  This is where things could get gnarled up and go south.  Will you please keep them in yours prayers, that everything goes smoothly and as planned?  One of Mom's friends was held up by the Embassy for 3 weeks when she and her husband were picking up their daughter.  Oh, the horrors!!!  We want to have everyone back, safe and sound on Saturday.  :)  Thank you dear bloggy friends. 

Today I Couldn't Walk.

Shortcake has been having a little bit a of clingy day.





But it's all good.  I love being needed.  It's just another way of taking time to smell the roses.  

Today I'm Sharing an FYI.

For those of you thinking of having a baby before the year (that just started) is over, 11-11-11 is a pretty neat-o birthday!  And according to the "experts" today is the day to conceive (if Valentine's Day didn't already do it for ya)!
My mom brought this to my attention.  A not so subtle hint-hint.  Haha!

Personally, I'd rather my child have a less remarkable day an get a little more special treatment during labor and delivery, but I'm just a party pooper that way. ;)



So, if you want wanna these on 11/11/11, better get busy (assuming your cycle is even in sync)!

Today I Combed Ash's Hair.

Ash was born bald.  A total surprise since both Tony and I had tons of hair when we were born.  Britt was more like we were expecting.  :)

(newborn Ash)



When her hair finally did start filling in, it was (originally) only on top.  My dad called it her fertilizer strip.  Hahaha! 

(5.5 months)

The rest of the photos show her progress as she grew.  Once the rest of Ash's hair started growing, the top was quite long and it grew at the same pace as the rest.  So I had to keep it pulled back.

(9.5 months)

(15 months)

(19.5 months)

Not a whole lot has changed.  If I don't do Ash's hair, it hangs in her face.  It's never been cut.  :)

(today as a rambunctious 2 year old)

(rockin' the side pony)

So much fun!

Today I Worked On Something New.

Did you know that there's a huge GINORMOUS amount of mommies out there having virtual garage sales on Facebook?  I had no idea until a friend of mine started one up.  I bought some stuff from her and was impressed.  I have always just taken all of our outgrown items to the three local consignment shops in our town, but after my friend's urging me to try this Facebook thing out, I took the plunge. 

Self promotion alert!  Heehee. 

So here you are.  My "shop."  I had my first sell today.  It was my sister, but hey!  It was fun!  So - if you're into that sort of thing, friend me.  I also have a Facebook page for this blog.  Right here. 



Like I needed one more reason to be in front of the computer more.  :P

Today I'm Washing & Packing Up a Sweet, Little Outfit.

Yesterday was Britt's first Valentine's Day.  She looked adorable in her special outfit, though she couldn't have cared less. 





I save my babies' first outfits.  Meaning: first Christmas dress, first Easter dress, first 4th of July outfit, etc.  I box them up with a picture taken of them that day.  I think they'll be thrilled when they're older. 

How was your Valentine's Day?  Hope it was sweet.  Mine was awesome.  :)

Today I'm Planning a Party.

We're celebrating Hubster's birthday this weekend. 

We're going to Olive Garden for lunch.

Already have the presents wrapped.  He asked for an ice cream maker.  Haha!

I'm going to make ice cream cake (he asks for it every year).  Only mine will be simpler than the recipe below.  Just ice cream bars, cool whip, and lot of ice cream topping syrups and candy bar shavings all over.

(source & recipe)

 To make it different than years past, I'm going to add polka dots ( but not in a row, as pictured).

(source & recipe)

Haven't figured out dinner yet, but it'll featured chicken and lots of cheese.  Fun stuff!  I'm out having a blast until after Valentine's Day!  Have a fabulous weekend y'all! 

P.S.  Thank you to each and every one of you for your sweet, comforting words yesterday.  It helped immensely and I feel better today. 

Today I'm Hormonal.

Ugh.  That is the best word to describe my feelings.  Torn.  That is also the best word to describe my feelings.  I am in the process of weaning Britt.  No, it's not up for debate.  It's solely our decision.  Opposing opinions won't change or help anything. 

For those of you who have been there, you know that your nursing mommy hormones get mad at you when you wean your child.  For those of you who have yet to experience this, just know that it's hard, but a part of life with babies. 

Britt is doing well.  She's still getting plenty to eat and drink and only had one melt down (albeit a long one); last night when she wanted to nurse for the snuggle and comfort.  She didn't want to have anything to do with a bottle.  That was rough. 

But, it's time.  I feel it.  I'm making very little milk anyways since Britt loves regular food so much.  It's just... time. 

I remember how hard it was with Ash when she was 7 months.  I cried and cried.  Britt is almost 11 months.  It's been good.  I'm going to keep telling myself all the positive things about this and we'll just power through it.  I haven't cried.  Yet.

I'll miss the physical connectiveness (did I just make up a word?), but it means we're one step closer to having a little girl room and a parent room (it's currently an Ash room and an everyone else room).  Yay!

{Milk drunk.  On the day of her birth.  She was constantly falling asleep at the "table."}

I love you Britt-Britt.  No matter how I deliver your food to you.

Today I Put Together Some Valentines.

Spoiler Alert for family members!  This is about your valentines!

I saw a LOT of blog posts about Valentine's Day while I ws reading this morning, and they reminded me that I've only got 5 days left to get and hearts and lovey stuff put together.  So - I got on it, stat. 

I pulled out the valentine's day bucket and found my heart cookie cutter.  Then I got to work using unopened play-doh I had on hand.  So I saved myself some mixing and stirring.  So cute!

(Source & recipe)

Then I used my kids finger as paint brushes.  Ash thought it was cool.  Britt was only mesmerized for about half the time.  So her bunnies have rather squiggly ears!  :) 

(source & instructions)

Lastly, I rounded up a package of cute pencils, I purchased during a back-to-school sale, and put them to good use.  Such a fun, inexpensive valentine!

(source & instructions)

What have you been doing with red & pink paper, cupid stickers, heart doilies, and the like?

Today I Edited Pictures.

I edit pics almost everyday.  But these are pictures that my mom wanted fixed up so she can print and frame them.  I thought I'd share some before and afters.  Let me know what you think.  Be honest - I won't be offended.  Did I improve them?  Make them worse?  More or less interesting?  Just keep in mind that I am very amateur - at best.

Before

After

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Admittedly, several of these photos were awesome to begin with.  It's hard to improve upon something that already looks great. 

Oh, and you have now seen all of my siblings.  Well, except for the ones that done live with my parents anymore.  And the one who is on a mission in New York, though I did talk about him before and posted his pic then. 
On a side note, but still completely related, can anyone tell me how to disable the ability to copy and paste photos off my blog?

Today I Visited With An Old Friend.

How do I condense a long, fun-filled day into a very short post? 

First off, today was all about C.  I've known her for over 10 years.  We met at community college (back when it BCC and Bellevue College) during my freshman year.  She asked to use some of my make-up and just started talking to me.  The rest is history.  :)

Totally forgot to take a pic of us today.  This was taken the last time we visited.  I think.

Three years ago she moved away to Austin and today was the first time I've seen her since then. Of course it took aaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllllll day to catch up. And she's promised to not to let another three years pass before her next visit.


First, we met at Orange Blossom Society in Redmond.  We had to stay around the Eastside since she was using a borrowed car and of course the ferry pretty much deters anyone from visiting me, so we had to find a place where the kids could play while we chatted up a storm. 

Ash at Kids Cove.  Taken by C.

Let me just say, Orange Blossom Society rocked my socks off!  The girls loved it!  It was like going to someone else's house and playing with all their toys and not having to pick up after yourself (though we did, sort of).  The cost was minimal, it had low traffic and I didn't have to be constantly watching to make sure my kids didn't run off or get picked up by some yucky chester.  We brought our lunch with us so we could eat and talk and play and eat some more.  I just wish I'd thought to take pics there.

We did have a little incident with Britt and another baby.  Apparently she was trying to help herself to a handful of his chubby cheeks (can't say that I blame her - they were delish).  It made him scream and I felt horrible.  Luckily, his mother was forgiving and even smiled at me later. 

Britt at Kids Cove.  Taken by C.

At 2pm we had to leave since open play time was over, so we drove around and continued our convo while the girls took their naps. 

When they woke up we grabbed lunch at Taco del Mar and dessert at Mrs. Fields Cookies.  This is where I confess that I wasn't the best mommy about food today since all Ash ate was chicken nuggets, apple slices, lemonade, and cookies.  I didn't push it.  We'll do better tomorrow.

Lastly we went to Kids Cove at Bellevue Mall, but that wasn't as cool since I had to watch the babes like a hawk - makes talking, listening, and eye contact a bit difficult, ya know.

Kids Cove.

Thanks for visiting with me C!!!  See you again soon!!!