Birthdays, School, and sleepless nights

So much has gone on lately and I am just tired all over again thinking about it all. We recently got some concrete added on to make a larger back patio area. That took almost a week and now we have all this wonderful space! The only thing that is bugging me at the moment is that it feels like a disorganized bunch of space. We have been so busy with other things, that we haven't had much time to devote to fixing it back up. Some concrete got in the grass and other places that Zach has to fix. When? Who knows when we will have time to do the things we need to do around here. Zachary's birthday was a little over a week ago and I hope it was nice. We had a hospital tour that day and Marlee stayed with some friends for a couple of hours. The tour was interesting, but short. I was thankful for that though. I think we both were. We just wanted to get back to Marlee. We enjoy the time we have alone together, but once you have kids...sometimes it is more meaningful with them.

Marlee also started pre-school last week. It was exciting and overwhelming at the same time. We were able to stay with her the first two days. They were "transition" days. I guess it kind of cushioned the blow for us as well as for Marlee. When Friday came around, her first day alone all day, she cried and I cried. It will be great for her and she will realize that over time, but the realization of this new milestone was a little much for mama. Zach and I didn't know what to do with ourselves when she was gone at school that day. We drove around aimlessly talking about what time we needed to be heading back. We missed her! She had a good time, but as soon as she saw us again she started crying. The teacher let the parents come in because they didn't want anyone sad. Hopefully today will be ok. I just feel so sad when she is sad.

I feel like she has changed overnight! She is now sleeping in her bed again. She is more independent. She doesn't like when I help her get dressed. The three year old attitude has settled in quite comfortably in her. We have had more time outs, but that comes with all this growing up! She is still our sweet baby though. She still randomly says "I love you" all the time. Still loves hugs and kisses from mama and wants to be snuggled. So, there is still our baby in there and I know there always will be. It will just be in different forms as the years go by.

I kind of feel like this post sounds sad and depressing, but I promise it is not. Just reflection I suppose. I have lots of time to do that you see...I can't sleep at night most nights. I am soooo uncomfortable. My belly is HUGE!! Not to mention the millions of restroom trips per night. Oh well...to be expected. It will get worse as I get closer as well. Only 5 weeks until my due date, but I am hoping even for a week earlier. There are still some things we need to get ready for the baby and lots to do around the house, but I will do my best not to fill my plate too full in the coming weeks! I have had lots of practice contractions...even at regular intervals...so we are ready to do this! ( for the most part) Still concerned about the 40 minute drive to the hospital, but Zachary assures me we will be just fine. That is one thing I love about him and am truly blessed about. He has this uncanny way of soothing me and calming me down. I feel so at ease with him around. He is my rock and I'd be lost without him.

Here are some pics from the last week or so! till next time...

Things that make me smile part 2

-My husband cleaning out the fish bowl even though he HATES it!

-The way Marlee loves her daddy. I think about all those children unfortunate to not have a father in their life. Marlee would be lost without her daddy....so would I.

-Whenever Marlee gets a "prize" or something new she says, "oh wow! A prize for me? Just for me mama? ...then she proceeds to give me a hug and say, "oh thank you"!

-The way Zach puts up with my pregnant rants. ....(coughs)"ahem"...and not so pregnant ones :)

-The way Marlee gets excited about the small things! I hope that never changes!

-I like how Marlee gets excited when talking about her family and starts naming them off one by one. I hope she is able to develop a bond with them as she gets older. It is difficult living so far away.

-How she can count....most of the time! She hit her eye with Barbie the other day. She got a pretty good little welt on the side. Zach proceeded to be her personal paramedic... (putting one hand over the good eye) "how many fingers am I holding up"? Marlee still crying, "one".

-That Marlee actually has a favorite color. It's YELLOW!!

-The way Zach gets excited about certain things and dances sometimes. Beer is one of them. Also the way he has passed that on to our little girl...not the Beer part, but they do the "Mac and Cheese" dance.

-Marlee skipping around the house saying, "boing, boing, boing"..." I'm a rabbit mama"


Well, I could sit here all day and write these down. I am very blessed to have the life that I have and thank God everyday for all of it. I get overwhelmed sometimes, but it always works out in the end. Thank you!

I am Blessed

A few things I love...

-The things our sweet girl says. Putting her down for a nap or for bedtime takes a little longer these days. Not because she cries for us to turn on her light or turn off her fan (we have worked that out), and not because she doesn't want to go to bed, but because every time we give her a kiss goodnight she holds up one finger to her puckered lips and says, "one more time mama...one more time". She does this multiple times and we could do this all night. I finally have to put a limit to the "one more times", but we do love it so.

-Feeling the baby move all around and do somersaults in my belly. Just imagining what she looks like and the faces she is making in there makes me smile :)

-How Marlee won't let her daddy sleep in. Finally it is his turn!!! She gets up in the mornings turns to daddy and says, "time to get up daddy, time to get up....(he ignores her) ...pweese daddy, pweese" I am sitting in the living room just listening and laughing to myself. When Zach finally gives in and opens his swollen sleepy eyes she says, "Good morming daddy! So glad to see you!" Who wouldn't wake up smiling with that much sweetness greeting them for the brand new day.

-Zach being on a normal sleep schedule.

-Marlee wanting to take everything she owns when we leave the house and I tell her no, but she simply states, "just one, I take it" all with a smile. Someone please tell me how to unwrap even the smallest part of me from around her little finger!?

-Anytime any sort of music plays..."I dance"

-Watching her dance

-Watching her ask daddy for hugs so they can dance together!

-Everything my husband does for me. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life. He makes me whole.

-Marlee pointing to her cheek swollen by a grape..."Look at me mama, look at me" while pointing to her cheek.

-Marlee putting my clothes on her head, her pink stool on her head, or doing just about anything silly and still saying, "look at me mama"

-"I love you" she says this all the time and each time it is the best feeling.

-Watching Zachary battle the wasps in the back yard. Just seeing his face when he is on the winning side.

Well I have so many more, but must stop for now. Stay tuned!