Busy!

Whoa!  Time is flying by and I'm slipping at trying to keep up with these blogs.  So the logical thing to do is to start a third blog, right?  Here is the address to my new kitchen blog:

http://myapronison.blogspot.com/

Things are going well, here.  We're waiting to hear which preschool program Ewan will be attending in a few weeks.  Holy moley!  He's starting preschool soon!  I'm equal parts relieved (for the time to bond with Feenie) and sad (for the time away from Ewan). 

James is doing great with his weight loss!  He's down almost 90 lbs already!  He looks amazing and I'm so happy for him.  It's so great to know that we are doing everything we can to extend and improve the quality of the lives of our children's parents. 

Josephine is starting to sit up by herself, roll all over the place and is sporting a nice pair of turkey legs.  Seriously, those thighs go on for days!

This weekend we plan to finish up a few projects and try to get some updated family photos.  We'll see if either of those things happen. ;) 

I will get organized, I will get organized, I will get orgnaized!

Yes, I have to keep repeating that! lol  I've really gotten lax with our schedule, budget, etc. lately and it's killing me.  So.  Yesterday I organized the fridge, freezer and pantry and filled in our family calendar for August.  Today I'm going to tackle the schedule and finish up some laundry.  Tomorrow my mother's helper comes (thank goodness) so I'll get a start on the basement.  Saturday I have a shoot in the morning but the afternoon will be for budgeting & cleaning bedrooms.  I can do this!

The kids are great.  Ewan has learned to ride a 2 wheeler and thinks he's just the coolest thing on the planet.  He's been a little whiney lately, but otherwise a good kid.

Feenie loves to be held...all the time.  Which makes doing, ya know, ANYTHING hard but I do what I can, when I can (except for updating this blog when I should be folding laundry) and, even though it's hard for me, I try to remember that leaving a job half done until I can get back to it, is not going to kill anyone. ;)  She is sitting up and standing with assistance.  She LOVES her brother and daddy (and everyone else but especially those two) and her laugh is the best sound in the world!

I'm finally down 150 lbs and I'll see my doctor August 9th for my skin removal consult.  Yay!

James is down 77 lbs and looks amazing.  Now if I could just get him to quit wearing those big baggy clothes!  That man must really hate clothes shopping! ;)

So that's what's up lately.  I'm going to try to add blogging back into my regular schedule because I love the outlet and who knows, maybe someone else gets something out of it once in a while. :)

Introducing Our Daughter

Introducing our daughter, Josephine Belle. She arrived 3 weeks early on April 16th at 2:03pm by emergency c-section. I'll spare you the details but it was a little traumatic, though everyone's doing just fine now.
Here are some photos from her one month session I did with her this afternoon:

Couple of things.

1. I totally lost track of my food/exercise log.  Not surprising considering I've got the worst case of pregnancy brain in history.  At any rate, things are going well and I'm getting better at laying off the sweets and getting off the couch and moving.

2. Feenie's room is just about ready for her.  I washed all of her clothes yesterday and now I just need to get them organized in her dresser.  I also need to set up her changing area which is just the top of her dresser because, frankly, I don't understand the need for a changing table as long as the dresser is a good height, which it is.  It's amazing to me how prepared we are for this baby.  I really did picture us scrambling at the last second to get it all together and yet here we are, 3 months from my due date, ready for her!

3. We're taking our last only child trip this weekend.  I have mixed feelings about this.  Of course I'm really excited for Feenie to join our family...as are James & Ewan.  All three of us are fully aware of how blessed we are, especially James and I since we've been down such a rough road to have this little lady join our life.  However, life will never be the same as it is now.  Soon we'll have two children to pack up everytime we go on a trip, whether that be a weekend trip or a trip to Target.  Soon we'll have to check the 2 box for children in our hotel rooms or on the train/plane.  Soon we won't be able to just hop in the van and head off for a day trip...we probably still will but I bet you we're going to end up buying spare outfits/swimsuits/bottles/diapers/etc everytime we go anywhere as I'm extremely forgetful!  I think there's still a dollar store sippy cup somewhere in our minivan from one of the many times I had to buy something for Ewan to drink from while we were on a day trip. 

Anyway, we're riding the Amtrak to Chicago, this weekend.  Leaving Saturday (at flippin 6am!) and returning home around 1am Monday night/Tuesday morning.  We're staying at a great hotel right on Michigan Ave with a huge indoor pool!  We're meeting up with my dear friend, Lou, and her girls (and maybe her hubby) Saturday evening for pizza...you know, the deep dish kind.  Mmmmm!  I can't wait to catch up with her.  She's due about a month before me so it's been nice to share our pregnancies with each other.  She's having a boy after two girls and I'm having a girl after one boy so it's also nice that we'll be able to help each other through those new territories for each of us. 

We're also planning at least one trip to Portillo's for delicious hot dogs & Italian beef sandwhiches.  And, coincidentally, Monday happens to be free day at Shedd Aquarium!  So since our train doesn't leave until 4pm, we're going to spend some time at the aquarium Monday morning which Ewan will love love love!

I'm really excited for this trip and I'm sure it's going to be a great time!

4. Yeah, we got some snow today. ;-)  I think about 8 inches total which isn't as bad as they said it would be, but it's a pretty significant amount.  It took James about an hour to plow our driveway and sidewalks this afternoon and due to drifting, it's pretty much covered over already.  :-/

5. I don't really have a fifth point but I like to have three, five or ten points. :-)

Getting Back Into Good Habits

Well, between vacation, the holidays and being pregnant, I've definitely swayed away from my good eating habits.  This happened especially during the first trimester when I basically just ate whatever would stay down.  However, next Wednesday starts the third trimester and I'm still eating junk!  So.  Today starts my good habits again and to help me I'm going to try to post everything I eat & drink for the next week right here on my bloggity blog!  If you read this (and I'm panifully aware that I have very few readers) please feel free to keep me in check or add your own food log.  I welcome accountability!

I also need to get back to the rec center.  We've been twice in the last week but that's nothing compared to the five days per week that we were going before. So I'll be adding an exercise log here, too.

The third part in my 3-part lifestyle change is trying to live as stress-free as possible.  I don't know how I can incorporate that into my blog but if I'm feeling stressed, I'll come here to vent.  How's that? ;-)

Anyway, here goes!

01/27/11:
Breakfast: Kashi Go Lean Cereal with half a banana & 2% milk. EAS AdvantEDGE Protein Shake.

Does folding laundry count as exercise? lol

Lunch: Hummus & pita chips, fresh veggies (carrots, cauliflower, brocolli & green peppers) with a little ranch, grapes and water to drink. PS ~ Lunch is picnic style on the livingroom floor. ;)  SO ready for spring!

Snack: Kellogg's Fiber Plus bar (chocolate chip) and more water.

Dinner:  Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, shells & cheese and brussel sprouts.  Milk to drink.

Snack:  Small slice of chocolate cake and milk.

Umm...second snack?:  Chicken salad on crackers...and water.

Cabin Fever!

Oh yes, it's that time of year again.  We're stuck in the house most days and I'm trying to find stuff for a hyperactive 4 year old (Is there any other type of 4yo?) without completely tiring myself out.  Here are a few of things we do to try to get through the cold winter months without pulling our hair out.

1. School.  Ewan refers to it as "doing school".  It's where we get out all of the workbooks and work through a few pages of three or four of each book.  Today he learned how to write his name E-w-a-n, instead of E-W-A-N.  He's also learning the days of the weeks and months of the year. His strength is definitely math, though...which worries me because I was never great at math and I fear he'll...ok WE'LL need a tutor by the time he's in grade five! ;-)

2. Crafts. 
Coloring books
Play dough (here's a way to make your own http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Playdough-Play-doh/)
Painting (wooden shapes are $.10-.25 at Michael's and JoAnn's)
Stickers
Here's-a-bunch-of-craft-stuff-now-make-something (This is when he's feeling creative and I'm feeling tired. I just put the felt pieces, popcicle sticks, paints and whatever out in front of him and let him go at it.)

3. Hide and Go Seek.  I especially like hiding under the covers in our bed...or even in Ewan's bed. ;-)

4. Build a fort.  There's currently a blanket stretching between one end of our dining room table and our buffet.  He loves to take a few books and a flashlight in there and read to his imaginary bunny.  Ewan likes it too.  Ha!

5. Library day!  We recently started a weekly trip to the library.  We go on Mondays but I'm open to checking it out on other days, too.  I think they have a story time on Wednesdays starting soon.  Maybe we'll switch to Wednesdays.  There's something about reading a library book that's just...special.  E has a pretty extensive book collection but the excitement of reading one that you have to give back eventually is fun. 

6. Playing in the snow.  Now, it's currently like 15 degrees with the windchill so we've not been out lately, but it's nice to get some fresh air and play.

7. Wii!!!! God bless games like Nick Jr. Fit and Just Dance Kids!  I love a game that allows Ewan to release some energy while laughing and playing.  Along the same lines, he got a Smart Cycle for Christmas and while there's no way to adjust the tension, at least he's moving and thinking and having fun while learning.

8. Picnic in the living room!  We even go so far as to get out the picnic basket, pack up a lunch and spread out a blanket on the living room floor.  Fun!

9. Lazy Date.  Play Dates are great but it's also fun to have Lazy Dates!  Invite a few friends over and have them bring a sleeping bag or blanket & pillow.  Move the furniture out of the way and have everyone chill out on their sleeping bags.  Make a ton of popcorn and watch a fun movie.  I realize this probably didn't need instructions but I don't really have much else to do tonight. ;-)

10. It's not free, but listen, it's worth the $5-10 to have a few minutes to yourself while your kid releases some energy.  BOUNCY HOUSE!!!! Our mall has a place with three or four inflatables and it's only $5 for them to bounce all day Monday-Thursday.  I go straight there, let him bounce for an hour, we wander around the mall spacing out places like the Disney Store and Crazy8 in between the stores I'd like to visit, then (if he's been good) we hit the bouncy house on the way out.

So there are a few ideas but please feel free to leave your suggestions!  I definitely appreciate any help getting through these next few months.

2011 ~ The Year of the House

Yes, we're expecting a baby in a few months but that just seems like all the more reason to put all that nesting to good use and really make this house "ours"!  We've lived here almost 2 years, now, and have done very little.  We painted the watermelon room and touched up the trim on the front of the house but other than that, we really haven't done too much.  So I decided my new year's resolution, this year, is to really make this place into the Drum family home. 

I started off by making a lengthy, detailed list of all of the things I'd like to accomplish around here, this year.  I'm not going to type out the list in its entirety but to give you an idea of some of our projects we need to do, I'll name a few.

Move bedrooms around.  The den is becoming my mom's room so all of the office stuff needs to go up into our room which is HUGE so that's not going to impose on our bedroom space at all.  Then the baby will go in my mom's current room, we still need pretty much everything as far as baby furniture is concerned so that's another project but heck, I don't mind shopping! ;-)  So Ewan doesn't feel left out, we're switching his room from the current theme (sports) and wall color (blue/grey) to a theme (rockstar) and wall color (red...this will be tricky) of his choice. 

We also need to paint the stairwell and upstairs hallway as they have never been painted and are still basically primer white.  Same goes for our room, it needs color!  And our bathroom, too.

One of the biggest projects is to refinish our kitchen cabinets and add white beadboard around the kitchen island as well as painting the kitchen a pale yellow color...I think. 

There are lots of little things on the list like painting the baseboards on the main floor, finding window treatments for several of the windows in our home and painting the mantle in our livingroom. 

It's an ambitious list, especially given that we're expecting a baby this year, too, but we've got a year to do it all and I'm not opposed to 2012 being The Year of Finishing the House. ;-)

To give you an idea of the watermelon room conversion, here are a few pics.  Hopefully this will keep me motivated, too.  =)




That's right, two green walls & two pink walls.  Thus the watermelon room.  But we conquered it!




And it turned out pretty great, in my opinion and (with a bit more decorating) will make a great nursery soon!




I think tomorrow we'll start by cleaning and organizing the den and our room and hopefully start moving office stuff upstairs. =)  Wish us luck!