Getting Ready

So we are making room for sweet Julia in our house. We have purchased some bunk beds in order to move Seth into Daniel's room. Also, we are moving the boys to smaller dressers we can keep in their closet to give them more space in their room.  Haley has decided she would like Daniel's bed from before as well as his dresser.

Friday night I started the transition by moving Daniel and Seth's clothes into the boys' closet.

This leaves the Julia's part of the girl's closet with only one little bluejean dress. For now. I actually have a lot of clothes my sister has passed down for me to store and use until/if they need them back for a third baby girl. I haven't even attempted to go through the smaller ones yet, but now that the dresser is empty and the closet has room, I may work on that memorial day weekend.

Step two was taking down Daniel's bed and moving it to Haley's room. His bed is the nicest of the kids, so I was either going to store it for later (because Julia will need a twin bed eventually) or see if Haley wanted it. Haley decided she wants Daniel's bed and his heavy dresser (which I replaced with smaller and cheaper modular storage that could go in the closet for Daniel and Seth). For the time being (probably until next weekend) Daniel will be sleeping on his mattress on the floor. We will be getting the twin beds probably early next weekend.

 

The only things left to do to complete the transition is 1) get Daniel's old dresser moved to Haley's room, 2) Determine whether to let Katelynn get Haley's old dresser or get rid of it (It isn't in the best condition and Katelynn currently has a 9 drawer dresser to share between her and baby), 3)Get the bunk beds and put them up, 4) Buy a mattress for Seth's bottom bunk, and 5)Transition Seth from the crib to the twin bunk.

I'm hoping to get everything transitioned before school gets out, leaving some time to let Seth control when he moves to the big bed. He seems excited when we talk about it, but he's two so his mood is subject to change at any moment. 

The other thing I'd like to do this summer is expand the closet in Katelynn and Julia's room. It is the smallest of the kids closets because I think her room was originally planned as a game room option (it's like 14 by 20) so the closet was an afterthought.

So excited to get this process started! This house is getting ready for family member number 7. We are only about 3 months away from her arrival!

Thanksgiving Week - Day 4 & 5

Thanksgiving was spent at my parent's house. Going over there is nice for me because I know the kids can play and not get themselves in trouble or into something they aren't supposed to, so I can chill out. The food was good as usual, but the kids were sad that their "cousins" weren't there. They live in Grand Prairie like my parents but we really only see them over the holidays. They had a lot of family in town (on the other side) so they hosted at their house for them.

Bj had to work at 3, so left kinda early. Actually by 4, the only people left were us, my sister and her family, and my parents. The girls (my mom, sister and me) played Nertz for a while in between the distractions of little kids. It was nice and we haven't actually gotten to do that for a while. We used to play games every holiday, but that changes when there are babies everyone has to attend to.

We came home about 8 and Bj was home by 10.

We had hoped to go shopping for living room furniture today, but that plan was derailed when our ceiling was leaking and we had to call a plumber. It was discovered that the tile in our shower is basically not sealed well and we were advised to not use that shower until we can get it fixed. So we are stuck using the kids bath/shower combo until then. Needless to say, their shower will be the cleanest its been since we moved here because I refuse to use their shower without it being clean. They are just kids and they don't care what shape their shower is in.  It's a little gross. It only gets cleaned when the cleaning lady comes every 4 weeks. It will be an inconvenience more than anything.

Which is why I pushed Bj to find someone to come ASAP to talk about the repairs/remodel. We aren't quite sure what we are doing besides getting our shower retiled. They are coming tomorrow morning. Depending on cost, we may do some unnecessary, but definitely nice upgrades in addition to just the bare minimums.

The plumber did also look at another area we thought was leaking slowly, and fixed it while he was here. We'll have to get some sheet rock patched and a wall repainted at some point.

Today I finished decorating the inside of the house and got the lights up on the house. I can't find some of my outside extensions/ power strips so I need to buy some replacements and our lights will be good to go.

For dinner we went to IHOP. Speaking of food, Seth has done deal well eating today. And I didn't give him his pacifier except to nap this afternoon. He ate cinnamon toast crunch cereal for breakfast, cheese and crackers for lunch, and eggs and pancakes for dinner. I think his teeth must not be hurting him as much or his stomach is growing back to normal size.

If you'll remember, Seth pretty much gave up his pacifier at about 18 months without really even a fight. One day, he just decided he didn't want it. Well in the last few weeks, he's been sick, more clingy and giving me a such a fit about eating, especially in a restaurant. So either he has asked for it more, been whiny more, or I've gotten soft and given in. Either way he thinks he has to have it often and asks for it by saying "Can I have my paci back?" Yeah, he's way too smart and talking really well for his age. But after yesterday realizing I've just been too easy, I decided not to give it to him unless he is going to sleep (and he doesn't have to have it then, but it's my compromise for now). So I had to distract and redirect a lot, but he only had it for nap today and he is sleeping without it tonight. Bj had to take him upstairs so I could decorate this morning. He was screaming for me and his paci this morning. He sounded so pitiful I was in tears decorating. But eventually he got playing and I got things done and he didn't win. Practice makes progress.

This afternoon, Bj lost his wedding ring in the front yard. We were all out front. Some were playing catch, others riding bikes/scooters and some putting up lights. Bj really has needed to get his ring sized or something since he's lost weight. He went to catch the football and the ring flew off his finger. We searched for a while and then gave up while Bj posted on Facebook asking for a metal detector. While we were eating dinner, his parents came over with their metal detector and found the ring. We were so relieved.

Tonight after the kids went to bed, Bj and I ordered Christmas cards and got pictures printed.

Even though the day didn't go as planned, and furniture shopping got put on hold until we figure out what the renovations are going to cost, the day still felt productive. I only have 3 things left on the list for the week and hope to get to teach the kids to play Clue tomorrow. I loved that game as a kid and hope they love it as well.

Only 2 days left until it is back to work...

The New Normal

These past few weeks have been down right crazy.  No, everything is still not unpacked and there are some minor things that still need taken care of, but for the most part, our whirlwind is over and we are settling into the new normal here at the Fowler abode.

I went back to work yesterday after vacation and then the holidays.  Not that I like getting up early, but its been nice to get into a routine with the kids again.  Starting next week, they will be at the YMCA for 4 weeks, then three weeks with alternating grand parents, and then school starts.

We are loving our new house.  And our calves are in top shape thanks to the stairs.  The main things left downstairs is putting up the china in the china cabinet and getting things on the walls.  They look so bare after they were so full before the move.

Life has been so much easier since the adoption, but I think it's mostly mental.  We don't have anyone looking over our shoulders anymore and we don't have to report to everyone, so it just seems more like a normal family with normal kids and not the constant supervision.

I am now 21 weeks pregnant and doing really well.  We are over the half way mark and it feels good.  I think I read too many blogs, but I was at least a little worried that we would lose this baby, but things seem to be going well and normal for us.  I like normal.  Normal is good. I have a doctor's appointment next Tuesday.

Ok, now for a few catchup preggo pics.

18 Weeks

21 Weeks

 I am definitely looking pregnant and even got asked at the gym this morning how far along I was.  Sounds like progress to me.  The last few times I've went to the gym I was sure I just looked fat and not pregnant. I think this picture shows how tired I am.  But getting back to a routine will help I think. I haven't felt the baby move yet, but I don't know what it feels like since this is my first pregnancy.  My doctor doesn't count flutters and he says I'll know when the child kicks me.

Speaking of which, we have a name.  He is name is Seth Edward Fowler. It was set for a while before we found out what we were having, I just wasn't sure I wanted to share because I've heard how ruthless people can be.  Most people don't say anything when I tell them, and that's fine.  This isn't their child so their opinion really makes no difference to me.  Daniel (hey I actually got to write his name out since the adoption is final) says he is going to call the baby Bopper, but I think he's just being silly, which is pretty normal for him.


I am looking forward to being at church tomorrow. We haven't been in two weeks between vacation and then the 4th of July holiday this past Wednesday.

Everything New

This week is definitely one full of new things for our growing family. I thought about starting this post with all the new things coming but wanted to make you actually click on the link and go to the blog to find out our news. Am I being cruel or what?

New name, new house, new BROTHER!!

That's right. We are having a boy. We are thrilled that baby looks perfect and everything has gone so well. I am also kinda glad because we couldn't decided on a girl name. And I don't know if we are having any more kids and have been wanting the name we've picked for a while. Bj says no more kids and I just say I don't know what God has for us so I can't rule it out right now.

New name.

The kids have been back and forth about changing their last name to Fowler. Partially I think just because they have had so much change in their young lives. But matter how they feel about name changed they are definitely excited about adoption. It has been a long time coming. We have had them for 8 months and a week. We are on our way to Houston for the adoption which will happen tomorrow morning. So glad to be here, finally.

New house.

We are closing on our new house Friday morning. We got the settlement statement and I was floored to see that we are paying $1500 less than we made on the sale of our house. I am just amazed we are being paid to move into a 15 year newer house with almost twice as much square footage.

Sunday when we were singing "Lord you are good to me" I couldn't help but think of where I was when God gave me that song and where we are now. God is so good!

New Patio

Ok, so today I got to talk to my sister on the phone for a while and she informed me that I have not put pics of the new patio. It was finished on the weekend of our anniversary but I was waiting to get our picnic tables so you could get a full idea of what it looks like (or will look like). Since I am apparently too busy or lazy to get the picnic tables purchased and stained and put together, you are gonna get what I have.

Before After

We tripled the size of the concrete and added the pergola for a little shade. I know, I know, it needs picnic tables, but I'm working on it when I get around to it. The nice thing is that since our house faces south, most of this is in the shade from the house for most of the day and the pergola just adds to the shade. We are planning on having our Father's Day get-together at our house, so we'd better get on that picnic table issue and fast. In other exciting news, I was off today. This morning I went to Cardio Dance Party at 24 Hour. It's not turbo, but it was still a great workout. Then I went to Cedar Hill to Charming Charlie's and found a purple purse. It makes me soooo happy! Apparently I have been living in the dark ages because I so didn't know anything about Uptown in Cedar Hill. It is fabulous. I wasn't in the mood to really shop, but I do plan to go back and shop in the future. It is basically an outdoor shopping mall. From FM1382 it looks like a mall with only a few stores, but when you drive inside, it is amazing and there are so many stores. They also have a water spout area for the kids to play. I must remember that for the future. Yesterday evening, I was finally able to pull together all the digital pics I need to get printed so I can scrapbook. The memory card for one of our digital cameras has been at a friend's house (he was using it in his fish finder. Yeah I totally don't get that.) Anyway, the memory card has made it home and I was able to get all the pics I want sent to Walmart to be printed. BJ is supposed to pick up the pics after work today. Hopefully, now that I'll actually have the pics at my house, when I get some free time and the urge to scrapbook (yes, I actually get the urge to scrapbook) I'll have everything I need to do a page or 2 until I am caught up. While I was sorting through pics on the computer I realized I have quite a few events to scrapbook including my getting CPA license in Sept 2008, anniversary trip in 2009, kitchen renovation in July 2009, Cozumel trip in Aug 2009, anniversary trip in 2010, and the patio expansion. So do you think I'll be able to catch up before we go to New York City in August? I'm thinking probably not, but I can at least shoot for that. Did I just nonchalantly mention we are going to the Big Apple in August? Yes I did. We booked our flights and hotel yesterday and are really looking forward to our vacation. We are hoping to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and that is the only thing we have agreed on at this point. Yes, BJ wants to see Phantom as much as I do. I actually saw it at Fair Park a few years back, so he may be looking forward to it more than I am. Starting next week, my boss is letting us work 36 hour weeks through July. Thanks Elaine!! I am pretty excited about that as I love being off during the week and will get to attend Mindy's Turbo class in Mansfield on Fridays. Also, I am making a plan to go and see one of my sister's friends and her new baby the week Jill is in town for Father's Day/my mom's birthday. I think my mom, Jill, and Ashley will join me on my trip to Wilmer so we could call it a girls trip I guess. There are a lot of fun things coming in the next few months. Yes, work is still crazy and hasn't slowed down any, but hopefully we will be able to keep pushing returns out and things will eventually slow down. And this makes 4 blog posts for May, thank you very much.