House progress...

Even though we may have to push back closing on the house a week, a lot has been going on in our new home. Carpets have been put down, lighting is going in, and we actually have sinks and toilets! It really is all coming together,even though at times it doesn't go smoothly, or ends up coming together differently than expected. These are the most recent photos I have taken , even though more is being done daily:

Here are some pics of the kitchen- the island was a bit of a hassle since we are going with a microwave drawer in it, and the builder switched a cabinet without accomodating for the space and that nearly made my 60" island 48"...I fought them and won on that issue:

The above is just a closer pic of the cabinets, I love the color and can't wait till all of the appliances go in! We ended up going with the range hood, we will be getting corbels and dressing up the area with a fancy backsplash too!

The next pic is a view into my family room. I love this pillar...we wanted to stain it to match the woods, but the painter's accidentally painted it white! I was not pleased, but it is growing on me, maybe one day I will strip it, or pay someone to replace it/stripe the paint and stain it! The fireplace is in the distance, but it won't stay that way for long, we have plans to stone it from the floor to the ceiling, if only we could agree on what kind of stone we want to use:

I had to show a pic of Wayne's office because it is a major reason we built this house. I cannot wait till Wayne's paperwork isn't strewn all over the kitchen and I am sure my Mom is looking forward to regaining her kitchen and dining room table when we leave!

Above is one of my favorite spaces, our master bath. I can't wait to show you the finished product!

Thanks for hanging in there readers, I know I have been HORRIBLE about blogging lately!

Happy Father's Day...

Father's are truly a wonder, especially the two I have known first hand. Today wasn't exactly all about celebrating Father's day, since we were all a little preoccupied with baby Emma's arrival back home, but I wanted to find a moment to say to my Dad and my hubby, you are both so amazing! I love you both so much!

Here is my Dad holding his grandprincess. I know she is going to think you hang the moon and the stars, just like her Mommy and I do:

Here is Wayne getting his gift from Z, or as we sometimes call him, his mini-me:

I just had to sneak in a shot of Wayne and his boys on their 1st of many father's day together:

Enjoy the day Dads!

Emma's here...

On Friday June 18th my niece Emma Ann, made her way into the world. She weighed in at 7 lbs 7 oz, ironically the same weight her brother was nearly four years ago. Emma is long and lean, measuring 21 inches and looking a lot like her brother Jack, except for the fact that she has beautiful bluish eyes rather than deep brown ones. Only time will tell if she will stay light-eyed, but for the moment, they are deep blue. I wanted to post some pics of her, but I am sure there will be more to come. Tomorrow when Emma comes home, her cousins have insisted on a visit. Somehow I think the four of them are going to be as thick as thieves:

Looking stylish while sleeping:

Hanging with her fam, you just have to love the fact that Jack was sticking out his tongue in their first new family photo...such a boy thing:

Jack and his little sis Emma:Resting up for her big trip home:Welcome to our lives Emma, I can't wait to spoil you with all things pink and girly!

Soon...

We are in the home stretch for the arrival of my niece Emma. Part of the reason I haven't been blogging lately is my sister is off of work at the moment, and every day we are together. There is something so calming about the presence of women you love when you are gearing up for childbirth. I can definitely say that I would never want to give birth without another woman in the room, preferably a mother or a sister. That is why my Mom was with me both times, I guess no matter how old you get when your Mom is there, you feel like no matter what you will be ok, because she isn't going to let anything bad happen to you.

Ironically, my Mother says watching my sister and I give birth has been both an amazing and difficult experience for her, because while she feels blessed to be part of our children's arrival, it is brutal to watch your own child in pain and feel helpless. I guess it is the continuation of the double edged sword of parenting.

My sister is ready to meet her daughter these days, and we are all definitely ready to meet the 1st princess in our family. I have already lined up my inclusion in prom dress shopping, and wedding dress shopping, as well as spa days with my girls. I am so thrilled that we will have another girl to add to our adventures, and I know she is going to keep us all fashionable in our old age!

I have heard that "girls rob your beauty" during pregnancy, but my sister has been radiant, even now at 9 months pregnant. The boys are all anxious to meet the new baby, but Matt is especially invested since she will be his play cousin. Here Matt is snuggling in to try to win over Emma early:

And here are a few pics of my sis posing with the needlepoint I made for Emma...I always say she is the only one that will probably keep it into adulthood, the boys' I will hold on to and give to their wives someday.

Li, you look great! Now tell my niece to hurry up and arrive, so we can see her adorable face!

What the boys are up to...

I know if you are reading this post, you haven't given up on my sporadically written blog yet! I swear everyday I have the intention of blogging, but time runs out. If it makes you feel better I have nearly two weeks of my soap opera on DVR with very little hope of every actually watching the episodes. My life is currently in fast forward, great for finishing the house, not so great for trying to accomplish tasks in a given day. Fast forward is also a little daunting when it applies to your children.

These days my boys are both up and moving, in very different ways. Zach is still mastering potty-training, some days are better than others, but he has found that he is great at getting into everything. Here he is testing out his brother's walker, washing the dishes, and showing off his new Spiderman apparel with his BFF and cousin Jack:

Matt is really starting to talk, he is saying Ba Ba all the time, although he isn't talking about his bottle, more babbling. He is sitting up like a champ these days, being taken for rides in his walker, and just being overall adorable.

Aren't they just the sweetest?

In a few weeks all of my boys and I will be living here:(except hopefully by then it will be sided and have floors!)

Hang in there readers, I will post again soon!

Happy Birthday Mom...

Usually I am all about the sentimental posts, but I am still not operating on all cylinders and I know you understand that, because you have been in the trenches, so to speak, with me in the last few weeks. Come to think of it, you've been in the trenches with me much longer, back when I was the one that was bringing on the artillery. There are truly no words for the love I feel for you, and the gratitude I have that I was chosen to be your daughter. You are my inspiration in so many ways and I love you. I know that birthdays aren't really your favorite anymore, but each one means that the world was blessed to have you in it for another year. In all the years I've been with you, you have given of yourself in the best of ways, brightened the lives of those you know, and always made the world seem easier than it really is. I guess that is the mark of a master mother, the sheltering nature, the spirit that things are easy even when they are not, the constant compassion, the always-ready-to- hold -you- and -take- away- your- worries- arms. You are a masterpiece, and as it is with all masterpieces the older they get the more valued they are.

At 50 something, (I know your age, but I wasn't sure you'd love to have your age splashed across my blog) you are the same vision of loveliness you were 31 years ago. I can vouch for the fact that I still find comfort in your crystal clear blue eyes and your dazzling-melt-away-all-your-worries- smile. You are beauty defined inside and out. Happy Birthday to my nurturer, my favorite teacher, my best friend, my Mom!

(Oh wait...I guess I did get just a bit sentimental ...guess there is hope for my brain function after all!)

Back on the grid...A week in review

After almost two weeks I am back, sort of!

Last Sunday we moved in with my folks, and while the actually living arrangments have worked out well it was a hellish week. Most nights Wayne and I, or just Wayne were back packing and moving the last of the items, Wayne went and cleaned and finished up all on his own, since I stayed with the kids some nights. We had mechanical breakdowns(tv issues, pool filters exploding), emotional breakdowns(mostly me) and physical breakdowns. Matt had some gastrointestinal upset on Tuesday, by Wednesday Zach vomited for the 1st time the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th all in the span of 5 minuites, both my Mom and Dad got the flu on Thursday and Friday, and yesterday I was down and out will the flu as well. It was a wild week, but as my Mom says "At least no one was hurt."

Today is the end of owning our first home, and when I walked the rooms one last time Sunday night, I couldn't help but tear up. Here was a house we had thrown so much of ourselves into and now we were leaving. I know that the future holds wonders and that I shouldn't lament when I am "movin' on up" but I couldn't help but feel a little heartbroken. I will miss my front window, that I could always see Lennie sitting on the back of the couch when I pulled up, and know I was home. I will miss the rooms that I brought my babies home to, and the spaces Wayne and I worked on together, pulling up carpets, tiling the backsplash, painting the house. I know it is a space, but it was our space. In many ways, I am sad, but I am hopefully that in six weeks when I move in to our new house, all of the sadness will be replaced by just the happy memories, I get to take with me.

I'll be back soon!