Not much

So one of my goals is to journal/blog more. So here I am. Not much is happening though. It has been a nice quiet week so far. I LOVE it. I LOVE not working again. I love feeling better and this part of pregnancy.

I think the kids are going a little crazy with the calmness of our lives after all the excitement of the holidays. At least we are back into some semblance of a schedule.
Oscar and Emma have been arguing like crazy though. This isn't a new phenomenon but it seems like they've kicked it up a notch this week. AND they fight about the silliest things. On the list yesterday was when was the last time Oscar made nachos, whether or not we need to have something planned every night, and if Oscar is helping Henry with his homework the right way. The last one was the most valid out of all of them but even then it was so silly. ;) I don't think they even realize they are arguing half the time. It almost makes me laugh, and sometimes I do end up actually laughing out loud at the silliness of their arguments. Gotta love having 2 hormone-filled teens in the house. (I think 12 counts as a teen...it is still full of ups and downs with the emotions.)

I have a favorite breakfast right now. It is baked oatmeal and is so much better than mushy stove or microwave cooked oatmeal. I'll post the recipe following this post. I'm still tired a lot and though I want to get up and make breakfast for my family I don't always get up early enough. This meal is perfect because you do most of the work the night before. You throw it all together, let it sit in the fridge overnight, and then pop it in the oven for 20 mins in the morning. Plus it is pretty healthy but still really delicious. Almost tastes like an oatmeal cookie.

Have I told anyone out there lately that I hate cars. They are such money-suckers! It seems like we finally get both of ours up and running perfectly and then 5 minutes later one of them needs something else fixed. And that isn't even counting all the money we literally pour into the cars in the form of gasoline. I think I'll move somewhere it doesn't get below 50 so I can just walk or ride my bike everywhere. (Sounds like a good plan anyhow) :)

3 more days until the big ultrasound. Lilli told me yesterday she thinks the baby is a boy so we shall see. Kids are amazingly intuitive at times so it'll be fun to see if she is right. She loves to talk to the baby now that my belly is getting bigger. She'll come up and just pat my tummy and say "Hi baby!" and then runs off and play. It is so cute. She talks about how she'll be a good babysitter to the baby. Ummmm.....well...at least I know she wants to help. Maybe a little too much but it will be fun anyhow. The other kids are still excited but they've all been through this before and for the most part kinda forget about it in the day to day of life. They are all excited to find out what we are having though so everyone cross your fingers that we can find out! ~Baby don't be shy just this once~ ;)

I love watching my kids grow up but sometimes I long for the days when they were little. We used to have such fun just hanging out in the yard, going to the park, and just playing. They get big and though they still like to hang out they don't "play" as much. I miss those days. That's why I may never stop having kids. ;) (Okay okay, I'm just kidding, I will stop but it is a very melancholy thought) I have to learn how to have fun with my teenagers more though. Take the time to find the things we can do and create memories of these years too. I sure love my kids! They are so fun, so smart, and so amazing. I don't want to miss a second of their lives.

On a more selfish note, I really need to find a cute maternity dress that isn't too short. You wouldn't think that is hard to find but it is. Why do pregnant women want to show off so much of their bodies?! I saw a couple really cute dresses but they are pretty pricey for something I'll wear for less than 6 months. Check them out here and here though...totally cute, classy, not frumpy and yet not showing off more of my body than I think the world needs to see. ;) They have really cute non-maternity dress too. Hopefully I can track down something cute for half the price. Wish me luck!

That's about it for now-I am looking forward to this new year. Of course the anticipation of the new baby makes it that much more exciting! I love being pregnant but I still just can't wait to hold my new little one in my arms. There aren't many things that feel as close to heaven on earth as holding a brand new baby. They may not do a lot when they are little but they let you learn to love completely and unconditionally. Can't wait!