Pillow Covers

I have been in the crafting mood the last few days & thankful I have actually had some time to make some stuff. It's really nice when I have enough time to finish a project. Recently I bought some soft black fabric on clearance at Hobby Lobby. It's the fabric used to make baby blankets. When I bought it I wasn't sure what I'd use it for but it was soft & a good deal & with three kids & one on the way I knew I'd find something to use it for. After getting my living room back to normal today, getting out my Valentine's decorations & looking at my ladybug stuff I decided I'd recover my throw pillows.

These pillows have been around for a while & I wish I had of taken a picture of them before hand but I don't think about that stuff till I am blogging, maybe one day I'll get better about it. These pillows are about 15 years old & were white when they were bought but not so much before recovering. I have been looking at them for months thinking they needed to be replaced but everything I had found that I liked was way more than I wanted to spend so recovering them was defiantly much better.

Valentines Decorating

I love to decorate for the different holidays & Valentine's is no different. Today I put up most of my Christmas decorations, I am still waiting on the towels to come out of the dryer & Adam to take down the outside decorations, but other than that everything inside is taken down, boxed up & put under the house. After taking down all of my Christmas stuff it's time to start decorating for Valentine's. This year my set up on our entertainment center is a little different, but I really like it.

My First Skirt

For months I have been looking for some cute skirts for the girls without any luck. I finally decided I am just going to make them some skirts. I found a simple pattern online & decided I'd use it for the first few skirts. I bought some black with pink swirl fabric, some red with peace sign fabric, some solid pink fabric & some brown with pink & green polka dot fabric.

For the first skirt I used the black with pink swirl fabric and put some trim across the bottom of pink ribbon with some black stitching. I really hope Alyssa likes it. Now to start on the red with peace signs that Taylor picked out.

Tooth Fairy Pillows

Last March during mine & Adam's honeymoon we saw these cute pillows in a store called tooth fairy pillows. I told Adam I can make that. They were really cute with a fairy on the front. Then here recently I saw a pin on pinterest of a really cute tooth fairy pillow that I repinned & every time I get on pinterest I see it so I finally decided to make it. The pin actually wasn't instructions but a link to an etsy store but I went ahead & made my own tooth fairy pillow with some cute fabric I recently found on clearance at Hobby Lobby.

I messed up on one of them so one of the pink ones doesn't have a ribbon but I still thought it was cute.

Doctors Appointments - Week 28 & Taylor's Check-Up

Today was the day for doctor appointments. I had my week 28 appointment this morning. It was a simple appointment without an ultrasound or anything like that. Bradley's heat rate was 156. It was much higher than last time so I mentioned it to the doctor & she said he is probably just more active this morning. I told her I had Coke with my breakfast in case they did an ultrasound he would be awake. So that was it. The kids were excited to hear his heartbeat. It was funny to hear what they said it sounds like. I am measuring 30 weeks which I will be 29 weeks on Sunday so pretty much right on. She told me it sounds like I am doing everything I should to help with the pain. Taking it easy & not over doing it is the main thing.

Then we had Taylor's 6 year old check up. She has lost about 4 lbs since November. She is in the 25% on height & weight. Since Christmas she has been complaining she doesn't feel good & she hasn't been eating well, but she didn't have any symptoms to make us think she was sick. We just thought she was exhausted from all the running around. Come to find out she has strep. I was glad we found out during Christmas break instead of next week when she goes back to school. Other than strep she is good to go & everything looked good.

Journaling

For those of you who don't know, I love to journal. I have a private journal that I write in from time to time. Not as often as I use to but if I have something on my mind, if something is bothering me, if I want to remember something then I write it in my journal. Luckily I married someone who respects me enough that I can still keep my journal on my headboard & he will not snoop in it.

My love for journaling was passed down to Alyssa. She loves a notepad & is always asking for more of them.

Recently her & I discussed starting a journal to talk to each other about things. Sometimes it takes a little prying to get her to open up but she doesn't have the issue when it comes to her journal. For Christmas she got this really neat journal that is made for a Mom & Daughter to write back & forth. It has pages with different questions for you to learn about each other and it has some free pages to write things that you need to talk about but don't know how to say.

When Alyssa got the journal she decided we need a special pen to write in it. Her request was a pink glitter pen. Today when I was in Hobby Lobby I looked for a pen and ended up buying a pack of glitter pens so now we have 6 different colors. I also knew we needed a cute way to keep the pens with the journal so after looking around, I found this super cute bag. I decided some iron on letters would make it perfect.

Now we have a cute bag, cute pens & a really cute journal to share stuff with each other. I can't wait to start this experience with Alyssa. We still have to decide the "rules" for our journal & she wants me to put them on a sheet to keep with the journal so it will be few days before we get started. I do know one rule is we don't share what is in the journal with anyone else. It's just between us!

I look forward to hearing how things change over the years, see how her handwriting changes & learn things about her she doesn't normally tell me. The other two have also showed an interest in the journal so hopefully it will also be something I can one day do with each of them.

Christmas Celebrating

Our family defiantly had a great Christmas time with all our celebrating.

We started on the 11st with Adam's Mom, grandfather, brother, sister-in-law and three nieces. The kids always have a great time getting together with their cousins and playing. Everyone came over to our house, we ate, opened presents and just spent time together.

On Thursday the 22nd we went to Adam's Dad's house with his Dad, Melanie, brother, sister-in-law, three nieces, aunt, uncle and other siblings. We ate, opened presents and hung out. I was really impressed by our children. They were three hours late getting in the bed and all three did really good.

On Friday the 23rd we went to my Granny's house with my grandparents, aunt & uncle from Texas, cousin from Texas, aunt & uncle from here, sister and her boyfriend. We ate, opened presents and had a good time. It was nice to see my aunt and uncle I haven't seen since I was pregnant with Noah.

On Saturday the 24th we went to my parent's house. When I asked my Mom who all was going to be there she said "just us". My parents have five kids so "just us" is 21 people. But I know they enjoyed having all five of us their with our families. We ate, opened presents and hung out. On our way home we went by Palisades Park but they are closed on Christmas Eve so we didn't get to see any Christmas lights. I didn't think about it till last night but as warm as it has been this year Zoo Light Safari wouldn't have been that cold, but with me not being able to walk a lot like that it really wouldn't have been possible.

After four family parties, I thought our three had made out with plenty for Christmas, but I guess Santa thought they still deserved more. I know they still have tons of stuff to play with that hasn't been opened, put together, etc. I guess it must have been those cookies they left him with soooooo much icing!! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!! I know I did but I am ready to slow down a little bit.

Elfy - Day #12

The last night Elfy was here he moved Rhino's stocking up to the hook on the ceiling, tied a string to himself and attached a note to the other end of the string. He opened all the kids' dresser drawers, the kitchen cabinets and the doors on the entertainment center. He also left each of the kids a surprise in their stocking...an elf that they can each touch and sleep with like they have been asking for. Alyssa named hers Elfyette, Noah named his Harry Potter and Taylor named hers Diamond. They are all sad to know Elfy is gone till next season but they all seemed to really enjoy him being here.

Elfy - Day #11

This morning the kids woke up to find Elfy took down all our Christmas cards, flipped over some decorations, got the bells off the doors & used the bells to make him a skirt.

Elfy - Day #10

On day ten the kids woke up to find Elfy sitting on the refrigerator and he brought back a note from Santa. To fully understand this note you have to know, on the day before they woke up to find this note the kids were out of school and they stayed with my sister. They did not have the best day either. But Santa sent them a reminder that he is watching them. =)

Elfy - Day #9

On the ninth day the kids woke up to find Elfy got in the cabinets of the entertainment center and pulled out some DVDs.

Elfy - Day #8

Today the kids woke up to find Elfy had picked up the mess they left in the sunroom with the chairs but he left them a bigger mess to pick up with all the music toys. Surprisingly I believe it was found by Noah and all the toys were picked up before the girls ever saw the mess. They don't seem to mind picking up after him.

Elfy - Day #7

On the seventh day of Elfy the kids woke up to find him hanging above the stove in the kitchen.

Elfy - Day #6

On day six of Elfy the kids woke up to find him in the bathroom. He had dumped out all the girls' ponytail holders and sat beside the bowl they go in.

Elfy - Day #5

The kids woke up this morning to find Elfy snuggled up in Noah' hat under the Christmas tree. He had taken it out of Noah's dresser and moved it to the living room.

Nursery

I am sooooo ready to get Bradley's nursery ready and now that my black car is sold I am going to be at Adam about construction on the garage. Who wants to help him??? :)

A while back I started my registery at Target online. I need to go in the store to add some more stuff but I did add a good bit online. Only bad thing is some things I want are online only. Tonight I went back to look at the bedding to see it is out of stock online and it's online only. I so did not want to have to start over looking for bedding. I had such a hard time the first time finding something I liked. Thank goodness for Amazon! I found it on there. Cheaper and a much better picture. So tell me what you think??? I want something that is baby looking. I have plenty of time to decorate for a big boy but only a short time for a baby. I get to decorate for big kids now too.

Doctors Appointment - Week 27

I know I am so behind on my blogging about Elfy and hopefully I'll feel like doing it and have the time in the next day or two.

I haven't felt very well lately. I am enjoying the holidays but I am ready for them to be over so I have more time to rest. When I don't have a day on the weekend to rest it is really hard on me. Over the next few months if you ask me to do something and I say I can't please don't get mad. I have got to start resting more. Last week I was in lot of pain after not getting any down time the weekend before then this weekend I didn't get any down time and this week it has just killed me. This week and last one Tuesday I felt like the next day should be Friday because I have been so tired. I finally broke down and called my doctor yesterday. When I told them about all the pain and pressure she said I needed to come in for an evaluation. I have been pregnant twice before and I did go through pre-term labor with Noah so I know what that is like but they wanted to check and make sure I wasn't in pre-term labor. I guess since I did have problems with it last time they are extra careful this time.

I found out today my placenta has corrected itself so I will not have to plan for a c-section!!! Yay!!! I have three kids at home, I don't want to stay in the hospital an extra day. I have already told her, I need to have him on a Thursday so I can be back at dance class on Monday. Also my cervix are closed, thick and high. Yay!!! So for the first time I actually feel like I'll carry him closer to March 18th than I had been thinking. Although I am measuring ahead so maybe not. But we need the extra time to prepare.

They did an ultrasound today and I so enjoyed getting to see him but I'm kinda sad because now they won't do one at my appointment next week and I was really looking forward to the kids getting to see him. But they will get to hear his heartbeat.

The doctor told me my pain is because this is my third pregnancy and its hard on my body which I already knew that. Also because of my build. I am not use to having the extra weight so my body naturally arches my back poking my tummy out to support the weight. He recommended I get a maternity belt, use a heating pad, take Tylenol, stay off my feet & rest as much as possible. My sweet husband went my Buy Buy Baby and got me a maternity belt on his way home and I picked up a heating pad during lunch so hopefully tomorrow will be an easier day for me. I sit upstairs at work and when I climb the steps it is so hard to climb the last few steps. I am trying to go up and down them as little as possible. My boss as told me he will bring stuff up to me, just to let him know. I've got to get better about asking him instead of just doing it myself. But that is something I have a hard time doing anyway. I have gotten better about letting Adam do stuff and trying to not worry about it if it doesn't get done.

Elfy - Day #4

Last night Elfy was rather exhausted after the dance recital and didn't have any energy to get into trouble. He decided to have sit on the entertainment center next to the Elf on the Shelf book. Even as simple as it was the kids were all still excited to see where he was.

Week 26 - Doctor's Appointment & Update

Monday I went to the doctor for my regular check up. I also had my sugar test at this appointment. I passed it!! My blood pressure was perfect. The doctor and I discussed some of the pain I am having. She told me its because this is my third pregnancy so it is harder on my body and I need to stay off my feet as much as possible. I so wanted to look at her and say that is really hard to do with three kids at home but I didn't. I asked her when we will find out if my placenta is still low and she said at my next appointment we will do an ultrasound. I am not going every two weeks so my next appointment will be during Christmas break so the kids will get to go and see the baby. They are all so excited!!

I have had awful pregnancy brain since the beginning of my pregnancy but it seems to only be getting worse. I keep mixing things up, saying things wrong and forgetting things. It has gotten so bad that even the kids will realize I said something wrong. I also feel like I have constant chaos in my head. I tried to call the doctor about it today but their phones were down so I'm going to call back in the morning. I looked online tonight (which my doctor will say don't do that) but I wanted to know what other people say has helped them. Of course its the things I'm already told to do...rest, drink lots of fluids, eat a well balanced diet, etc. All day I have thought it was Friday, realizing it is only Wednesday has been an awful feeling.

Elfy - Day #3

This morning the kids woke up to find Elfy hanging upside down from the stocking holder and wrapped in a piece of tulle like I used to make Alyssa's tutu for tonights dance recital. He also left the girls' closet door open after getting in their closet last night.

Elfy - Day #2

The mess Elfy left

His note to Alyssa

His note to Noah

His note to Taylor

This morning the kids woke up to find Elfy had pulled everything out of their backpacks and left it all over the living room floor. He also left each of them a note before having a sit in the Christmas tree. They were all so excited!!

Elfy

We had a rather rough afternoon so the kids were required to take a nap before the Christmas party this afternoon. When they got up from their nap I had them clean out my car and as they are walking out the door to go clean out my car what do they find.....an elf! He left a nice little note telling them a little bit about him with a surprise under the tree. They were so excited and absolutely loved it. The elf left each of them a gift with some candle, stickers and an ornament. The kids decided to name him Elfy. It is driving them crazy not to touch him. Can't wait to see where he is at tomorrow.

Taylor's 6th Birthday

Yesterday was Taylor's 6th birthday party. She is probably the easiest child to prepare for her party. Her only request is cookie cake and for next year no icing on her cookie cake. This year I cheated on her party more than I ever have on any of the kids' parties but with me being six months pregnant and with all the sickness we have had I just didn't have it in me to do the things I normally do for their parties but she was still super happy with hers. We went with a princess theme so I got the stuff from Party City that had all the princesses on it. Its so hard to pick just one anyway. Last night Taylor told me it was her best birthday party ever. Happy Birthday Taylor!! I love you with all my heart!!

Teacher Gift

I always try to make something cute for the kids' teachers for Christmas, End of the Year, etc. Every now and then I will buy something if I mess around and don't get something made in time. But this year with the new Alabama Ethics Law they are not allowed to receive anything unless it is something consumable. The notes that were sent home with the kids said class donations are appriecated. I have seen several different things I want to make for their teachers and picking my favorite was hard; however, I decided to go with the vase with crayons around it and I filled them with goodies for the classrooms.

Christmas Decorating

Taylor, Noah & Alyssa

Our House

Sun Room Tree

Alyssa's Tree

Taylor's Tree

Noah's Tree

Living Room Tree

I meant to take these pictures and blog weeks ago but with everything going on and all the sickness we have had lately I haven't had the chance. This year we have five Christmas trees. We have our big one in the living room that is decorated in blue and silver. Mine and Adam's color is blue so it kinda took over my Christmas decorating last year. Each kid has a tree on their dresser. Also we have a tree in the sun room. This tree is decorating with ornaments the kids have made and their first Christmas ornaments and stuff like that. This year we added outside lights to our Christmas decorating with three kids it is a requirement.