Juli & Co.

Nick has a job in The Woodlands, but we have a house in Mckinney...and somehow life just keeps going.  Or, should I say coming.  I feel like we are getting hit left and right with one thing after another and it just doesn't seem to stop.  I feel like I am constantly bracing myself for the next blow...

It is just a few days before Christmas and usually I would be baking lots of cookies, wrapping presents, and planning fun crafts and activities to do with the kids.  This year, I opted for a few "no bake" recipes and despite the fact that I have had my Christmas cards since before Thanksgiving I have yet to get them mailed or even walk across the street to put in my neighbor's mailboxes.

This pregnancy has really taken it's toll on me.  I have been nauseous for the last two months and nothing seems to help.  This leaves me drained of any energy or motivation to do anything.  My poor kids...  They just want to play and do all the usual things we do, but I'm so cranky, exhausted, nauseous all the time!

We have so much on our plate...new job, relocation, interviewing for other jobs, sell house, buy new house, showing house, buy bigger car, pregnancy, Luke starting kindergarten, researching school districts/neighborhoods, Olivia potty training (still), taxes, Christmas, no insurance...

Something has got to give...something has got to change...right?  

It's been forever since I have been able to update this blog, so instead of trying to go back and catch you up on everything that's happened, I'll just stick to the highlights. You're welcome. :)

1. Nick started a new job in The Woodlands. The first three weeks he was working there Monday-Thursday and then he worked from home on Fridays and was home all weekend.  This three week time span also happened to correlate with the onset of the WORST morning (all day) sickness I have experienced with any of my pregnancies.  Thankfully, my sweet husband was able to work out a deal where he now works from home full-time and only travels to The Woodlands every other week for two days.  
2. Our house has been on the market for 2 months now.  We get showings every once in a while but we are not getting enough traffic to expect it to sell any time soon.  We have dropped our price as low as we can go and, in fact, even if we get a full priced offer we will be writing a big fat check at closing.  
3. I am pregnant...again :)  I am due July 14th and will be having a repeat c-section.  We saw the baby at our first ultrasound on Dec. 2nd and the baby's heart rate was 167 bpm and s/he was measuring 7 weeks 4 days.  Today I am 9 weeks, 6 days.  I am still very nauseous at times but at least now it comes and goes in waves.  
4. Olivia is obsessed with "Dora-Splora" and knows several Spanish words.  I overheard her counting in Spanish just the other day and it's just the cutest thing.  She also loves it if you tell her she looks like Dora.  She'll smile and get a little embarrassed but loves to hear it.  I think she may also be developing a crush on Diego because every once in a while she requests "Go-Ego-Go" instead of "Dora-Splora".
5. Luke is becoming quite a little big boy these days.  He loves to play outside with the "big kids" but sometimes they tease him and it makes him really sad.  They are big first graders, 2nd graders, and one 3rd grader.  They love to race him and win.  Luke never gives up and each time he thinks this may be the time that he will win, but he's 4 and they are much older.  Also, one day, they told him to close his eyes and count and they were going to play hide 'n seek.  So Luke did it and then when he opened his eyes all the boys had run inside one house and then they opened the front door just enough to yell, "na-na-nana-na..we-ee tricked you...we're having a sleep over and you're not invit-ed!"  I wanted to kick some little first grader hiney that day, for sure!  Luke, of course, cried and was really upset.  I tried to make him feel better and told him that if they are not nice to find other friends to play with.  He wasn't trying to hear that...he was already plotting how he was going to get even!  Boys, boys, boys...  Watching a group of boys play is like watching a National Geographic Special.  There is a definite pecking order that develops and the dominant male is constantly being challenged for position by the weaker/younger males.  

Well, that sums it up for now.  I have decided to pick back up the blogging since there are so many things the kids do and say that I want to remember.  And, on that note, I leave you with a Luke funny...

The other morning, I woke up to Luke laying between my legs (I was laying on my side with my legs kind of scissored if that makes sense).  One leg had already gone numb so I finally said, "Luke, you've got to move off of Mommy!"  He replied with, "but you're my love chair" and really emphasized the love.   He also asks me almost daily "when will you and daddy's marry be over so that I can marry you?"  Haha...

So, it has kind of become an after church tradition, that every Sunday we go to Pasados for lunch.  Nick and I love it, it's cheap, the kids will eat it, AND they have free sopapillas and ice cream!  So, really it's a no brainer.

Anyway, back to my story.  So, we are sitting at the table waiting on our food and Luke just keeps screaming "AHHHH!", over and over.  Nick is like, "Luke!  Stop screaming!  What are you doing?!"  Luke says, "Dad, I'm just trying to scare myself to get rid of my hiccups."  Duh.

That kid, I swear.

It's snowing!!!  Normally I would be super excited.  I love the snow.  But, really?  Could this week be any crazier?  I was supposed to be finishing up some last minute party errands and cleaning the house today.  Instead, I will be stuck inside trying to wrangle the monkey kids and convince them it really is not a good idea to go outside and play in the snow.  Bah-humbug!

Wow!  What a ray of sunshine I am this morning :)

We have not been sick all winter and now Luke has a double ear infection.  Really?  Could the timing be any worse?  His birthday party is in 3 days.  He started his antibiotics yesterday so I am hoping that they start working fast.  He has been SUPER grumpy lately and wakes up 57 times a night.  Last night he came into our room at 11:15!  I had just finished reading and laid down to go to sleep at about 10:45!  And then the poor kid could not sleep at all.  We were up ALL night.  Seriously.  ALL night. 

I am exhausted.  I have so much to do and this has really thrown a monkey wrench in my plans.  No way am I hauling two kids, much less one sick, cranky kid, to Costco on my own.  Nick said he would try to get home early today and I am crossing my fingers because as soon as he gets here I am bolting out that front door.  I am going to wander around Target or Costco or wherever.  I may even wander into a nail salon for a pedi.  Man, I'm beat!

I was really feeling optimistic when I woke up this morning.  I promptly plopped both kiddos into the bath while I took a shower.  Blow dried my hair, washed both kids hair, got everyone dressed, and was looking forward to our playdate at the Wiggly Center.  I looked over to see Luke with his blankie wrapped around his head log rolling across the kitchen floor.  Olivia thought it was hysterical which only egged Lukey on and he continued to log roll back and forth from one end of the kitchen to the other.  I had just poured my morning cup of coffee and was reflecting on what a super mom I am to have everyone dressed and ready so early when Luke stood up and said "I don't feel good, Mommy".  You can imagine what followed.

So my morning quickly took a turn for the worst.  I pulled my freshly styled hair into a quick ponytail, ripped off my "going out of the house" clothes and replaced them with my "mommy uniform" of black yoga pants and a t-shirt, shut Olivia into her room to keep her from examining the mess, placed Luke back into the bathtub, and proceeded to mop my kitchen floor.

Just when I think I've got things under control, my kids are always there to remind me that I don't.  Thanks, my precious little darlings.

...is this too much?  A little over the top?  Or just right for a sweet little princess "big girl"?  I love this bed for Sissy's "big girl room" but not sure we can swing the $3000+ that it would cost.  So, I am thinking that I can just have my handy man husband make this.  It looks easy enough, right?

Oh and I just showed this picture to Olivia and she kept saying "me...mine....me....mine" and then doing her evil laugh. 

Luke enjoyed his very first overnight camping trip a few months back and I just found the pictures.  As you can see, they had a blast and can't wait to do it again once the weather warms up.  Since Luke is all about dressing up he had to wear all of his camo stuff to be an "army/camping man". 

Nothing really going on today. We are just hanging out at the house waiting for Daddy-O to come home from work. I've got chicken enchilada chili cooking in the crockpot and my house is mostly clean. Sissy has been a little stinker today and even pulled my hair once. She was mad because I wouldn't let her eat toothpaste. Go figure. So, I just put her down on the floor and told her "no. we do not pull mommy's hair." And, the poor baby broke down crying. I felt bad for about a half a second until I realized she was up and headed back toward the bathroom to steal the tube of toothpaste again.

Anyhoo...here is a random picture of the little stinker...with a toothbrush in her mouth. The girl is obsessed, I tell ya! Oh, and she also likes playing dress up. Luke is teaching her well.

My sweet sisters, me and our precious babies. It is rare to get a picture of all of the sisters together so I thought I would post this one. This was taken while we were waiting in line to see "ICE" at the Gaylord. I love my sisters!

Breakfast casserole and food photography. Love them both :)

I am determined to get back on track with the blog and start posting more, but the problem is we have nothing going on. Absolutely nothing. I continue to clean house, do laundry, and make sure everyone is fed and generally happy. I am enjoying my new melaleuca cleaning products which has helped spice things up. I almost have all of the laundry done in the entire house. Key word, almost.  I think if I actually get it all done it will be the first time in 5 years and will be a small miracle. 

See, nothing going on.  Nothing at all.  Nick is in the garage organizing, Sissy is napping, Luke is helping organize, and I'm blogging...obviously.

I'm hoping for you're sake (the one person who reads this blog) that something post worthy does happen.  Otherwise, the next entry will probably be much the same.  BO-RING.

Should you happen to ask Sissy to show you her "sweet face", this is what happens.


And some of Sissy's favorite things as of late...

cutie oranges
her purse
"bubba" (luke)
"baba" (paci)
"mine" (blankie)
ravioli
saying "uh-oh" about everything
and, of course, her "sweet face"

So over the last week or so we have really been enjoying our days lounging at home. I think I may have gone into hibernation mode since all I care to do is eat, stay home, and stay warm. And the funny thing is...I've never been happier! I usually have to get out of the house with the kids at least once a day, but that's changed lately. The kids have started to play so good together and keep each other entertained so I have more time to do house work and laundry and enjoy my coffee :) I am so, so happy we decided to have Olivia when we did because I absolutely love the age difference between them. They are close enough now that they are really beginning to be friends. I love it.

Wow. What a night we had last night. Let's just say I dusted off the old "Strong Willed Child" and "Solving Sleep Problems" books last night and implemented a few techniques. The battle of wills finally ended around 2am with Luke's bedroom door being locked. He was pretty upset about that, to say the least. Boy does this little guy have a strong will! It's what I love about him and what makes him him, but it sure does make his life a lot harder sometimes. So here's to "shaping his will" not "stamping it out"! I have a feeling this is going to be a long, tiring process.

{A Note To Luke}

Dear Sweet Boy,

As you realized last night, Mommy and Daddy are serious. You must stay in your own bed all night long. No more coming into Mommy and Daddy's bed and "sneaking in like a mouse", as you call it. There will be consequences if you disobey, as you surely understand now after last night. Mommy and Daddy love you very much which is why we must do what is best for you and teach you how to stay in your own bed. Please, oh please, make better choices tonight. According to the book, Mommy and Daddy must win this battle of wills. If not, you will begin to disrespect us and could end up a hardened criminal one day. Like I said, Mommy is serious. Stay in your bed. Prison is no fun and I'm pretty sure they won't let Mommy come and snuggle you to sleep every night in your little 5x5 cell.

Hugs and Kisses.

Mommy

Among many other things I resolve to accomplish this year, I plan to work on improving my photography skills and begin writing a business plan and timeline.  Realistically, I want to be back in business full time once both kids are in school.  To reach this goal, I will need to continue learning and refining my skills over the next year or so.  Blah, blah, blah...I know this is boring stuff to most of you guys. :)

So, I think I have narrowed down my post processing to these six conversions.  I feel these best capture my style and offer enough variety and flexibilty that they will work with most images or sessions.



And in case you are interested, here is what the image looked like SOOC (straight out of the camera).

I hope everyone is having a wonderful New Year's Day! As for us, there will be alot of relaxing, napping, eating, and nothingness. I'm not even taking down the Christmas decorations until tomorrow. Today is R-E-L-A-X-A-T-I-O-N...ahhhhhhh :)