This is Why We Keep Having Them ;-)

She likes him!



He's smiling!



Having a big sister is the life.



The cuteness will distract you from the dirty windows.



Can't resist one more.

Wish I Wasn't Here

It is that time of year again. The time when I get all mopey and ungrateful. I avoid talking to friends who have just been on vacation or who are planning fabulous trips. Okay, I don't really avoid people, but I sometimes wish I could.

Once again summer is here and our big plans include swimming at Grandma's neighborhood and maybe painting a bedroom or two. Jealous? I didn't think so. We aren't going on a vacation. This is partly a result of having just had a baby and also a consequence of poor planning in our past. I realize it is our own fault, at least mostly, that we are here and not going anywhere fun. That doesn't make it any easier. I am very hopeful that we will somehow find a way to go to Disney World in the next couple of years, when my girls are still young enough to really get the magic.

In the meantime, I want to be grateful and appreciative of the blessed life I lead, so now I will mention a few things making me happy.

I've been to the gym regularly and did not lose as much fitness as I expected to during my pregnancy. I'm already up to 3 miles on the treadmill, walking and jogging. I can already jog 1.25 miles without a break, so that feels great. I'm doing a 5K on August 21 and would like to be able to run the whole distance.

Old Navy had a 30% off everything sale (still going on ONBIG30 is the code) and I got some jeans for TMS for seven dollars! I also found a cute sundress on the website that I can wear when going out without BTS and next summer when I am no longer nursing.

I will be seeing lots of my WOWO girls (don't ask) in the next few weeks. We have baptisms and babies to celebrate. Speaking of which, I need to find some good baptism and First Communion gifts.

We saw Toy Story 3 and it was fantastic and my kids loved it. So did the grownups. My MIL was kind enough to keep BTS so we could all enjoy the movie. I was especially glad for that because LCS could sit on my lap and get some good snuggle time, something harder to come by when the baby is nursing every two hours.

Okay, pity party over. We'll make fun where we are and truly love our vacation when we finally go on one, knowing we worked hard to get there.

What are your summer plans (I promise not to ignore you!)?

Who Knew? (Sports Talk)

I find myself full of patriotism this morning. I have found a heretofore unknown love of soccer and admiration for tennis in the last 24 hours.

I've watched several soccer matches, something I had never done before. I've yelled and cheered for goals and decried bad calls by officials. I've used hashtags on Twitter to join in the social media fun. I have already made it clear to Husband that Saturday at 1:00 will find me parked in front of the TV, cheering on the U.S. team. I've started wondering if we should check out our MLS franchise, FC Dallas. I find myself trying to convince others that soccer really is a great game. Seriously, the skills and athleticism displayed by these teams is incredible.

Also, I have a theory about the vuvuzela. It doesn't bother me at all. And I think I know why. I'm a mom. My life is full of noise. Toys in the background, sibling chatter and bickering, kid shows, and so on. I've learned to tune out the excess and focus on the essential. So I don't mind the air horns, and I bet most moms barely notice it.

So, apparently I like tennis too. I usually just check to see who wins the major tournaments and read about the sport when it is mentioned in my magazines. However, when it came to my attention that an American player, John Isner, was involved in an epic first round match at Wimbledon I had to tune in. So I did. And I'm still watching it this morning! These men are playing the 132 game of the fifth set! This is the third day they are playing. It is tempting to build up the American man as an emblem of our national fortitude and indomitable spirit and whatnot, but it is just tennis after all. Still, I'm watching, when normally I wouldn't even know it was going on.

Social media (Twitter, Facebook) makes all of this more interesting too. You feel like you are watching an event with a crowd, even if you are at home. It is fun. So I'll be on Twitter Saturday, cheering on the boys and trying to figure out that confusing off-sides rule.

Has anyone else found themselves watching things more closely than usual this week?

Also, Rangers win ten in a row! Woohoo!

Reunited

I'm not talking about me and the blog here. Although I had no intention of leaving my last pointless post on top for a week. But, as my readers with small children will know, I'm not really in charge of my time.

So what was reunited? Let me tell you.

Running shoes, iPod, sweat towel and water bottle all found themselves in the same place on Tuesday for the first time in four months or so! I had my six week checkup on Tuesday. I expected to see a weight gain on the scale from my two week visit, simply because my sweet tooth has been raging and I'm always hungry thanks to nursing. But expecting a gain didn't make it any easier to see the number on the scale. I was quite happy to get the all clear to hit the gym again. So I did. Husband kindly consented to prepare dinner while I got a quick thirty minutes on the treadmill. I'm alternating walking and jogging and it feels good.

The kids are in VBS this week and we have evening obligations the rest of the week, so getting to the gym again is tricky. I managed a visit this morning and will hopefully get there on the weekend. Child care is available, but I would rather not take BTS until he is a little older. Besides, the parking lot is tight and my van is huge. It felt great to get back on the treadmill and both workouts were challenging but not killer.

Speaking of the gym, I've noticed a strange trend. LOTS of people are talking on their cellphone while on the treadmill or bike. I don't understand this. I don't want to talk to other people while I'm getting my exercise done. And I definitely don't want to listen to someone huffing and puffing while I'm trying to talk to them. Has anyone else noticed this? Do people really need to be that connected? One thing I love about running (maybe the only thing) is that I can put my earphones in and tune out the world. No one is demanding anything of me and it is bliss.

Happy Thursday!

This Post Has No Point

Today you get the most random assortment of thoughts on the planet. I guess I could wait and post this tomorrow for Quick Takes, but I'm not sure these thoughts even qualify for that kind of organization.

Bullet points to the rescue!

• We watch Sportscenter a lot. A lot. And I am T-I-R-E-D of the ridiculous zoosk.com commercial. Seriously, they need to make a couple new ones. Also, the plethora of online dating sites is astounding. I saw a commercial for one that is like a clearinghouse for dating sites (I think) and it listed uglypeopledate.com as one of their sites!
  

• I've got a coffee habit all of a sudden. I used to only drink a cup once or twice a week. But, when my parents were here to help with baby and recovery we made coffee every morning. And Husband has taken to making it most mornings. So I find myself drinking a cup almost every day. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

• First place Texas Rangers!

• I sometimes feel like the last blogger on the block without a fancy camera. Apparently if you are a "mom blogger" you must also be an aspiring photographer. I have minimal interest in that pursuit, but I must admit that I sometimes wish I could take better pictures and do fancy things to them with photo software. For now my point and shoot and picnik will have to do.

• I'm happy to not be pregnant anymore, but I do miss feeling baby movement. It is by far the best part of pregnancy and the one thing I wish Husband could experience. It is amazing to feel a baby moving around inside. But I'm happy BTS is out and that I (kind of) have my body back.

• Date night tomorrow night! My amazing friend is going to babysit all of my kids (and bring her four kids with her) tomorrow so that Husband and I can go see a movie and have dinner. I am so ready for a night out without any kids. BTS takes a bottle every day, so I know he'll be fine while we're gone. Also, my friend is very brave to take on ten kids at one time. They all play well together, and her older kids are 11, so it will be all good.

Finally, business casual:

One Month! (And Two Days)

I'm already behind in keeping a record of this poor baby's life. To be fair, it is partially his fault I didn't post this on Saturday. He was a fussy monster and I just didn't have it in me to sit at the computer and write a post.

But today is a new day and BTS is actually sleeping without me holding him!

First, the monthly picture with the monkey.



Taking a good picture of a fussy newborn is hard. Cuter pictures to follow, promise.

So what is life like at one month? Crazy! Well, maybe not crazy, but definitely not routine, not yet. I will be honest and say that I don't mind one bit that time flies at this stage because the first few weeks/months are hard. Just when you think things are settling down, your baby will turn things around. Or at least my baby does. Thankfully, BTS has been a good sleeper at night from day one (cue the chorus of angels). He wakes up once or twice, nurses, and goes back to sleep relatively easily. But, the same is not true during the day, at least some of the time. We just spent this past weekend with him being held a lot more than I would like. I love him and I love a good snuggle, but I am not one of those moms that embraces holding her baby 24/7. I do wear him some, but a mom of six kids just sometimes needs to not be touched.

But he is really cute.



All of the kids still love having him around. I have to shoo them away when I am nursing--they swarm like flies! I have to try to keep track of whose turn it is to hold him and make sure it is all fair. TJS can't resist rubbing his cheek along BTS's little head--so sweet! The big girls are very helpful in trying to soothe him when I'm trying to make a meal or grab a shower and BTS is fussy. At dinner we go around the table and share what we appreciate about our family, and at least one kid will always say they appreciate having a big family, which just makes me happy.

How is Mom at one month? Mostly good, but there are still spells of tears and frustration. I love my family and I don't question that this is what God intended for me, but I definitely have moments when I am overwhelmed and frustrated and tired. Thankfully, BTS will take a bottle and Husband is great about trying to give me a break, even if it is just to go to the grocery store. I have to remind myself that it has only been a month and hormones are still working themselves out and it is okay to get a little weepy and so on. I am also hopeful that getting back to exercise will help even things out a bit.

Overall, adding BTS to our family has been far smoother than I expected. We are blessed with good health and happiness and when that is the case, what more needs to be said?

One last picture because it makes me smile.

Fashion Friday: Post-Partum Fashion

Stop the presses! I'm posting two days in a row! Woohoo!

I decided I would jump back in the fashion discussion pool this week. I had a baby a month ago (I know--where did the time go?) and I have not worn maternity clothes since coming home from the hospital, except for t-shirts that look like regular shirts. So what am I wearing? Well, let me tell you.

Unfortunately, Blogger doesn't like me and you'll just have to follow links to see what I'm talking about. I'm so sorry--I know it is annoying.

First, I decided I wanted to try the metallic trend, but I didn't want to spend a lot of money and I'm kind of picky. Metallic can become tacky real quick. I found these flip flops at Target for ten dollars and took the chance on them. And I love them! They are just a little bit shiny and they are surprisingly comfortable. The only quibble I have is that they are very slippery on my tile floor. But I don't walk around in shoes at home all that much anyway. I think I smile more when I wear them.

So what am I wearing with my fab shoes? I sing the praises of elastic waistbands these days. While I may have lost the baby weight, things are still not the same. Also, I might be putting some pounds back on since I can't stop eating chocolate (doesn't help to buy a 40 ounce bag of kit kat and peanut butter cups). Anyway, I bought several skirts from Old Navy over the course of my pregnancy to wear once BTS made his debut. I love them. And apparently the whole world liked them, because I can only find the one I already linked to on the website. I got three others that are longer and one has a detailed trim, they are brown, blue and green. Feminine and easy to wear. I prefer skirts a lot of the time in the summer anyway, so this was an easy pick for me.

Okay, I guess I'm working from the bottom up. I have shoes and skirts, but what about shirts? Since I'm nursing I pretty much stick to simple tops that don't button or fit too closely, but that still have visual interest and shape. Also, it is all kind of hot here in the great state of Texas (100+ this Sunday!), so I like to wear sleeveless shirts. Warning: you might click over to see one shirt, and find yourself browsing other shirts and thinking you need to visit Target again soon. Or maybe that's just me.

How about accessories? I haven't actually purchased anything new lately in this category, but that doesn't mean I don't look! Since I am wearing kind of plain tops, I would love to have something like this gem from Just Liv. I have a tendency to wear silver earrings, which can get kind of dull. Something like this is a little more interesting, from Nomsa. And these are silver, but I like them, from Rio Rita. I don't wear rings much, but I would love this from Shining Stones. You need a handbag to round out an outfit. Thanks to a gift from an aunt, I was able to order this bag from Cotton Candy Boutique, to serve as a purse/diaper bag. I can't wait to get it, and the vendor is even shortening the strap for me at no extra charge.

So there you have it--what I'm wearing this summer as I work to get my pre-baby body back. Which, by the way, I am actually looking forward to getting the all-clear for exercise in two weeks. I love my skirts, but I would like to wear a few more things.

Visit Jo-Lynne and Big Mama for more fashion talk. They are both talking travel fashion needs, and I was tempted to not link to them because I am going nowhere this summer, but I am rising above my jealousy. :)

Wavering

Today is the last day of school. Tomorrow begins a summer with six kids in this house, virtually 24/7. I am uncertain as to how I feel about that.

On the plus side, I will have some extra hands to help. LCS will appreciate this especially, as she does not like waiting for me to finish feeding the baby or holding him or whatever when she wants a drink or a snack or someone to tie on her cape and so on. Also, TJS is bored out of his mind lately and will like having his brother and sisters around to entertain him. Husband will be glad that he does not have to wake the kids up and make breakfast and lunch in the mornings. He has had to handle the morning routine because I am usually nursing or sleeping, and he lets me sleep, bless him. I'm quite excited that we will have very little need for an alarm clock.

All is not positive though, I fear. The only thing I know we are doing this summer is Vacation Bible School, and that is in two weeks. The hot summer days stretch out before us and I know there will be times when we are all driving each other a little crazy. The thought of taking six kids anywhere, especially when one is an unpredictable two year old and one is a newborn, is daunting. We'll be lucky if we make it to the library on a regular basis. Unscheduled days can become days full of laziness and zoning out in front of the TV far too easily. And, while my kids generally get along well, there will inevitably be moments when they are ready to quit their family and choose a new one. I'm not known for handling drama very well around here either.

So, as of 1:00 p.m. today I get to find out what it is really like to have six kids. Up to now it has felt like practice, since three kids have been at school most of the time. Thank goodness my kids are cute and my husband is a kind and understanding man.

On another note--my baby will be a month old on Saturday! Holy cow! I can't even believe it! I will post a picture with his sock monkey on Saturday and talk about his first month. So, I know you won't be around to read on the weekend, but check in on Monday.