Pregnant Party Patty's Shower {Featuring Sarah}

Patty has made several appearances on this blog. In fact, I should have started a Patty tag to tag all of our silly times. We've known each other for over 10 years, and we've been causing trouble for the last five. Today we celebrated the anticipated birth of her sweet precious son, Henry. He's already been good to her, and given her the gift of R&R via bed rest. Well played, little baby. 

It's always wonderful to have a Patty-party because she brings her sister entourage with her. These sister-girls take the party up a notch or ten. The one is grey rocks the mom game via hilarious commentary and exciting snap chats. The one is gold and navy has dance moves that makes Beyonce jealous and gives a top notch back massage. 

The theme was FUN, and we nailed it. No pinterest boards. No elaborate decorations. No stupid games. We're tons of fun and don't need any distractions, thankyouverymuch. Plus, Pregnant Party Patty laughs a lot more and a lot harder. It's great.

She was so excited opening all the gifts. She kept saying how handsome Henry was going to look in all his new clothes, and we know that he's going to crush the model game.

The guest of honor and her Fun Factory, Allison, Me, Pregnant Party Patty, Keri, and Jenny:

We had a kicking good time. 

Burl's First Book

We all have "can't wait" mothering moments. 

I can't wait for them to take their first steps...

I can't wait until they have a sibling...

I can't wait to watch them make a friend...

Among my Can't Wait moments, I've looked forward to watching the older sibling read to the younger one. It happened this week. Burl read a book to Fern. Burl was slow and patient, making sure his sister could see the pages. He worked hard on those sounds, making several little faces at all the big words. Fern hung onto each page. 

It felt as wonderful as I imagined. This is another way that they can be siblings-Burl reading to Fern and Fern paying attention. 

Tribal Changes

I'm in the early stages of changing the style of my home. I'm going from some sort of cottage look to Tribal/Boho Chic/Modern Aztec. I'm not sure I'm using the right terms here (and they sound somewhat offensive), but it's all that I have. It's a complete 180 degree change from where I've been, but I'm very excited! Stay tuned.

My Childhood Dream

Burl was sitting at the counter writing valentines. 

Fern was pushing her babies in her stroller around the kitchen. 

Ridge was crawling around my feet. 

John was driving home from work. 

I was making cookies for Fern's school party. 

It struck me hard: this was a scene straight out of my childhood dreams. When people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I used to tell them "barefoot and pregnant." Even though I'm {currently} not pregnant, I am living my actual dream. It's moments like this that stop me in my tracks. WOAH. How can this be?

I've been silent here because my precious iPhoto has been on the fritz. However, my handsome tech support and sweet husband got everything working for me. Here's a little update on the past few weeks:

The second semester of kindergarten has been easier on me. I'm done with my twice-a-week physical therapy and I've started morning carpool. My schedule has been a breath of fresh air.

Fern, Ridge and I have enjoyed gaining a few more slow mornings of jammies, crawling, and a slow cup of coffee. 

Often when Burl gets home, he requests some Ridge time. For whatever reason, I offered to let the kids give Ridge a juice bottle. Giving Ridge a bottle and it actually working well has been a dream of Burl and Fern's since I was pregnant with him. 

We had to drop Ridge's crib because he's mister-stand-up now. I love walking into his room and finding him like this. This was the very first morning that I found him like this, so naturally I yelled for one the the children to bring me my camera. 

I snapped this picture of Fern at her friend's birthday party. Fern was very excited and talkative about MH's birthday for the days leading up to the party, but her mouth was sealed once we got there. 

Sweet Fern: it takes her a very long time to open up to new things. 

More brother time talking about laser guns. Ridge looks excited. 

Her happy, trying not to smile, smile.

A light dusting called for an impromptu photo shoot with the gingers. Neither one of them seemed to mind the brief cold. 

On a morning when school was delayed, we had time to go slow. Here, everyone was playing together in Ridge's room and they cooked their mama a large meal. Burl's getting extremely tall and lean. Ridge is right there, barely in the middle of it all.

I've said it so many times: no romance can top the electricity of valentine school parties. Burl and Fern were so diligent in getting their cards written and stickered. 

Baby glasses. Hilarious. 

I'm looking forward to returning to my blog. This has always been such a fun outlet for me.

Thank you for caring and reading.