My ONLY fall decor

Since we are selling, I'm in the process of de-cluttering my house.  Not that I'm much of a clutterer, but I am still looking around for anything that I can possibly box up.  I realized that even though it's not cold yet, I still am feeling somewhat fall festive, so to keep my house de-cluttered but still celebrate the season, I found a new fall wreath 1/2-off at Hobby Lobby last week.  It's literally the only fall decoration I will be sporting this season.  But I think it's pretty, and I'm proud of it.  Of course, I immediately starting catching all of these blog posts on DIY wreaths for $2 made from Dollar Store items, but I have resigned myself to the fact that 1) I don't enjoy scouring the Dollar Store with two young children in a cart pulling each others' hair and 2) my artistic skills would never match what I can find at the Hobster Lobster.  I love that store.  Especially when what I'm looking for is 50% off.

I also made a welcome sign using my Uppercase Living lettering.  All I did was paint the board a cream color and attach the rope with hot glue.  Easy as pie.  Do you think it would be too obvious if I added "to YOUR new home" at the bottom to entice potential buyers? 

Here's a really cool idea for DIY floor candlesticks for cheap, if you're a DIY'er:

http://impatientlyprayingforpatience.blogspot.com/2010/05/12-floor-candlesticks.html

House for sale

We're listing our house today.  Quite exciting but stressful at the same time.  The thought of keeping my house somewhat show-ready makes me crazy, so I'm trying not to think about it quite yet.  Yesterday I started thinking about it and spent two hours cleaning the garage after naptime.  The kids had a great time doing sidewalk chalk on the driveway, chasing each other around the car, and messing around with all of the things I drug out on the driveway.  At one point Emerson had strapped herself into a carseat sitting on the ground, and Jax ran up to her and took an apple right out of her hand.  That little fartknocker knew she was captive and couldn't chase him.

So why are we selling?  Well, I think at this point in time we'll be staying in Tulsa for a while.  We've been unsure for about a year now, but it looks as if a move won't be happening anytime soon.  Also, we would like one more bedroom, and a playroom would be fantastic.  Also living closer to town would be helpful.  The two days a week that Emerson goes to preschool, I spend an hour in the car.  Such a waste of time!  Plus, there are some really great steals right now... it's definitely a buyer's market.  I hope our home sells quickly.  When we get it on MLS, I will post a link, just in case you know someone who is interested in our area. 

Halfway there

Tomorrow marks the 20-week mark!  Thank you, Lord. 

Here's our baby girl posing for the ultrasound.  I think it's a fist pump or possibly she's trying to beat on the wall of my uterus as if to say, 'Get me outta here already!'  I know it, little lady.  I'm ready, too.  Just be patient and don't come early on me like your big sis. 

Looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend ahead.  Watched the Office premiere tonight and thought it was pretty good.  I wasn't terribly pleased with last season, but Jason and I agreed we should watch this season because it's Steve Carell's last.  And Lisa informed me that the next Bachelor is Brad Womack (AGAIN)... remember the Texan who didn't choose either girl and was so beaten up for it?  I, of course, will be watching, because I'm a faithful Bachelor fan.  Other than the Office, it's the only show I watch religiously.  Because when it comes down to it, by the end of the day I just want to clean the house, check my email & blog list, and be with my husband.  I hate how TV makes the evening fly by. 

Totally unrelated subject, but Jax walked over to Emerson today and patted her head, then her back.  Cutest thing I've ever seen.  He's a lover, that one. 

It's....

Gonna.....


















Be.......














A.......


















GIRL!!!  I knew it! 


Daddy watched the ultrasound closely and called it before the tech did.  I'm so stinkin' excited, I can't stand it.  Emerson was intrigued for a while, then she spent the rest of the appointment mesmerized by the rolling chair.  When I first laid back on the exam table, she came over to me, patted my arm, and said, "Mommy, are you okay?"  Maybe she really does love me. 

I'm really, really, really looking forward to teeny tiny onesies and bows and ruffles and baby tights. 

Come on, February! 

Giddy with excitement

I almost can't contain my elation that we're finding out what we're having tomorrow.  All day long I've had to keep myself from squealing out loud and clapping my hands.  I don't know why, but I honestly feel more excited about finding out this baby's gender than the first two.  I tried to explain that to Jason this morning, but he thinks I have just forgotten the first two experiences.  I don't know... I'm just overwhelmed with joy right now. 

Tomorrow is the first day of MOPS this year.  I'm so looking forward to seeing all the girls again and meeting new friends.  It's a huge relief not to be leading it, and I know I'll enjoy it more just getting to sit and be a part of everything.  I really hope little man does okay in the toddler room.  Lately he's been freaking out at the church childcare... to the point of them having to text us during service to come get him.  A few Sundays ago, he was almost to the point of hyperventilating, he was crying so hard.  It's so strange to be going through this, although I know it's a normal thing for most kids.  Emerson was just so darn easy and literally never cried at any childcare.  I have to admit a small part of me enjoys being needed so much by the sweet boy... sometimes I think Emerson could literally survive on her own without her mother.  She's that independent. 

I've got a thick, juicy chuck roast in the crock pot for dinner tonight surrounded by carrots, potatoes and onions that have been slow-cooking for the past 8 hours.  I'm so hungry, and the smell is killing me!  By the way, the boys are fully recovered now (well, Daddy says he's at about 80%), so we're glad to be back to normal around here. 

Will blog tomorrow or the next day when we know baby's gender! 

Sick Boys

On Tuesday Daddy got a flat tire on the way to work, so we picked him up and took him.  On the way there he said his back was starting to hurt (which is a red flag because that always signals an imminent fever outbreak for him).  By the time he came home that night, he was burning up.  The next day he looked at his throat in the mirror and self-diagnosed a yucky case of strep throat.  Sure enough, he went to urgent care today and they concurred.  But wait, there's more!  Jax's right eye had been a little red since Wednesday, and it's official... he and Daddy both have pink eye!  Yippee!  Daddy has officially made our bedroom his 'sick cave,' and he's set up office in the bed.  I must say it smells like a locker room in there, what with all the sweating when his fever breaks every 4 hours or so.  I've attempted to start the night off in there, but he's been snoring because his throat is swollen, so last night I finished the wee morning hours on the couch.  Now don't feel too sorry for me.  I actually enjoy sleeping on the couch.  I got one of my quilts from my college dorm bed, and it's colder in the living room than our bedroom, so I hibernated and slept quite well.  Emerson woke me up this morning with a kiss on the arm and said, "Mommy, what are you doing in here?"  Can't remember if I explained Daddy's snoring or not.

I'm so ready for my boys to get well!  It's no fun for Daddy to have to stay away from the kiddos and not shower them with his usual hugs and kisses.  Emerson gets to go to Build-a-Bear tomorrow for a birthday party with Uncle Trav, and I'm dropping Jax off at the in-laws,' so I'm plotting a languid and leisurely afternoon with some light shopping and possibly a stop at the public library.  Now, when I say 'light' shopping, I do mean light.  The first item on my list is a stop at Target for free dental floss with combined coupons.  Exciting times!

Baby #3 update: our ultrasound appointment is next Wednesday, so I will be sure to post the gender of the wee one!  We're taking Emerson and Uncle Trav with us... should be a blast!  I can't wait to see what her reaction will be.  Or if she'll even have a clue what's going on.