Conversations with Charlie

Charlie's new favorite phrase? "What you doing, Mama?"
Facebook ain't got nothin' on my kid. I update my status at least 300 times a day.
"What you doing, Mama?"
"I'm folding clothes, baby"
(Three second pause)
"What you do now?"
"Yup...still folding clothes"

So today, seeing where this conversation was heading, I thought I would one up him.
Charlie: "What you doing, Mama?"
Mama: "I'm driving us to church buddy"
(Three second pause)
Charlie: "What..."
Mama: (Interrupting) "Hey, What YOU doing Charlie?"
Charlie: (Taking a moment and then busting out a big smile) "I ASKING WHAT MAMA DOING"
Touche, Charlie. Touche. 

We're ready for the Great Pumpkin!

We've dressed up...

We've ridden the bull (facial hair intact)

We've had some fancy cupcakes

We've made good use of the Halloween stickers

We've worked on our mad scientist look

We've gone incognito in the "bone man" gear

We made some cookies....

We are ready for the Great Pumpkin!!!

Waiting...

Well, the clothes are washed, the room is ready. I am starting on the 10 million thank you cards I have to write, other than that it's just waiting, waiting, waiting...
Something you would think we would be good at by this point.
We're not.
Birthmom calls or texts and I jump out of my skin. I need to think of a better name than birthmom, at least for blogging purposes. It sounds so...formal. Something we really aren't. I could abbreviate it. BM. Oh wait, that's gross. She calls me "Baby Mama" which is so funny to me, so I can't call her that. I think I'll call her gift giver. Does that sound hokey?
I wanted to check in with you, I feel like I haven't blogged in forever...I feel like this is such an important time, I should have a lot to say but I really don't have much important to say.
I am so wrapped up in baby gear- it's like my cryptonite. I am fighting the urge to have a 36 picture post of all the awesome things we received or bought. ITS.JUST.SO.CUTE.
So what am I currently fixated on? Even though Jack won't be eating solid food spring, I am in the market for a baby food maker (one that steams and chops in the same bowl) Does anyone have any experience with these? I would love a weigh in and I know if I put it on Facebook, my non-baby friends will have a hayday with the comment section. Anyway, I am up for suggestions.
Because all I doing is waiting.
And writing thank you notes.
And working full time.
And chasing around a 3 year old.
And cooking, cleaning, and wife-ing. :)
And thinking of ways to get the mylar balloons off the vaulted ceiling (other than knife throwing, which Chad vetoed.) 

Feeling Thankful...

Today we went for ultrasound #2 and we are thrilled to tell you that Jack is healthy and right on track. During the  ultrasound, when we were zoomed in on his hand, he gave us a perfect thumbs up! His way of saying "Everything is A-OK!" Right now he weighs about 5 1/2 pounds, has moved into the "action" position, and his due date has changed from November 18th to the 21st. (Not because of size or any physical reason, its just that the 18th is booked up for scheduled c-sections)

Circle Shower
I feel as if we have been given this amazing gift. I am just feeling so thankful. 

My ladies group held a shower for me on Tuesday and I got a lot of really nice things including this awesome stroller that holds an infant seat, has a regular seat, but also a bench seat in the back for Charlie to sit on stand up on. Very handy!
Then on Sunday my sister and very dear friend and co-worker hosted a church wide shower for me. It was amazing! My mom was there and I felt so humbled to be surrounded by such a group of wonderful, supportive people. We got EVERYTHING we need for this baby! Yeah!

Cute clothesline!

Now, you may wonder why it has taken me over a week to post this. Well, our house, as my sister said best, "looks like a Babies-R-Us exploded all over your house" We had stuff EVERYWHERE. I have finally dug halfway through the rubble. 6 loads of laundry later, all the clothes, linens, and tiny socks have been cleaned, folded and put away.

My mom's "clothesline" that stretched around the room!

Charlie's Angels!
As my birthday weekend approaches, I just can't help but think how thankful I am. I am thankful for all my friends and family, thankful for this new little life about to make his way into ours. I am thankful that Charlie is growing and changing and is so happy. I am thankful for my husband and how patient and kind he is. I am thankful for the family that God is building for us. Looking back, even five years ago, I never would have imagined what He had in store for 2011. What a wild ride! I am so thankful to be a part of it!

Nursery

Funny. I guess when you take a room (originally and ironically a nursery when we moved into this house...) and turn it into an office/daytime dog kennel because you don't have kids. Then have a kid and turn it into an office/play room. Then, when preparing for a second child turn it back exclusively into a nursery again. This room has had more looks than Cher and Chaz Bono combined. I am really happy with the way everything turned out!

Charlie has the robot on his door and we suppose Jack needs
something to rattle and slam when he walks in and out of
his room too. That and it's a good warning when you hear
the rattle, you know you are about to be woken up from
your peaceful slumber :)

I put this together myself! Just don't look to closely
to the front. I accidentally nailed the back onto the
front. Darn you Ikea instructions.

The crib lives again!
LOVE! This Firetruck print by NoJo. I had to have it! And
it matches the consignment sale chair. Bonus.We left the
cute license plates and book shelf up, cause it's cute
and it would have left giant holes in the wall.

I made these! 

Check out the tire toybox! Craigslist, how I
heart thee...

Things are looking up...

Nursery is almost done. A good friend is coming over to help with the final details on Friday (pictures to follow...)
Found an attorney that will do a great job and for MUCH less (hallelujah!)
Baby showers on Tuesday with my ladies group and again next weekend (thank you church friends, for supporting us once again...) to get some last minute much needed items. Yeah!!!
And I am reminded daily that God is in control and I'm not. And it's a good thing because I am quite a pessimist with tenancies to panic. When will I ever learn???
Things are looking up. Just remind me to do the same :)

You are....

You are brave

You are brilliant

You are independent

You are fearless

And I love you!