School Days

Along with the different learning activities we do at our house, we are getting together with a friend every couple weeks for letter lessons and school fun. We try to learn two new letters each time, read corresponding books to whatever we are learning, do an art project or two and have lunch together. So this time we decided to do letters B and P. We did P so that we could "P"aint our "p"umpkins we got at the patch the previous week. Angelica wanted to paint EVERY inch of her pumpkin and Emma was not happy when we had to put the paints away....way too much fun. Then I picked up some frames at Michaels and foam stickers and let them decorate the frames with a "p"icture we took from the patch field trip. Again, Angel tries to cover every free space that there is.

The other letter we did was B mostly because it was Eddie's "B"irthday that day!! My friend has the Handwriting Without Tears manual and we use the worksheets from there, I am going to have to get...really great! Then we also practice making letters with Play-Dough and cardboard pieces. Angel is doing really well. Then the girls got to decorate cupcakes with icing and candy for Eddie's birthday and of course it was more tempting to eat the goodies along the way than to decorate. Really enjoying these lessons and fun to share with friends. Next week I think we are doing letters F for Fall and E. We swap houses each time so that each person prepares more for the crafts and hosts the lunch.

After Dinner Fun

Last night the girls enjoyed helping mama make some home made play-dough (thanks Christina for the recipe) and even more fun playing with it once it was cool. Angelica kept saying she loved the smell....kind of like strawberries from the Kool-Aid. I have to say, we threw out all the store bought stuff we had last night because this kind is so much better....barely falls apart or crumbles and just smells and feels good! Going back to the store soon to get other flavors to make more colors.

Then it was Smoothie making time...an after dinner dessert the girls LOVE. We call them our little smoothie hogs...because they are supposed to share with their mama and papa but we don't end up getting very much!

Updates

Sorry, have meant to post updates on our "false alarm" baby story from last weekend and my lovely baby shower a friend had for me....I have been journaling it all on the baby's website, so if you would like to check out the latest news, pics etc...please go to:
http://www.babyjellybeans.com/web/do/site/home?ID=566228
Don't forget to leave the baby a message and please tell her to hurry up and arrive already!

Pampered Chef Indeed

Most of you know, but I am officially a Pampered Chef Consultant now. Have always wanted to give it a go...so hopefully I will enjoy it as much as I am hoping. Thanks to the family and friends who have already given or signed up to do a show for me to get me started. So it anyone ever wants to place a personal order, do a fundraiser, host a cooking or catalog show, bridal shower or know someone to do a bridal registry....please let me know. Would be honored to work with you and you can always order and check out my site at: http://www.pamperedchef.biz/erinsplace

Three Weeks to Go

Emma went to the doctor's today and I got to see the x-rays. Luckily the fracture and the bulge are not serious but still needing time to heal. So, she now has a hard cast (still pink!) on for the next three weeks...then we will bring her in and do x-rays again and hopefully be cast free. She is being a trooper but life has become a bit more difficult with normal tasks. I am hoping she doesn't keep hitting the baby in the head with her hard cast...whenever the baby decides to make her grand entrance.

Hunter Farms Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday Angelica and I went to a pumpkin patch with my friend and her son. She goes to this one every year and while it is a bit of a drive, it was definitely worth it. Hunter Farms was very beautiful and the kids loved it. They had animals to see including chickens, roosters, goats, llamas, emus, pigs, and even a reindeer. There was a huge hay maze and play area set up in the big barn and at the top of the haystack was a big tunnel slide to go down. Angelica and Eddie could have played on that alone all day! I had decided to leave Emma with my mom even though I knew she would have loved it....she just has some trouble with her arm and it was still only in a splint and I didn't want her to hurt it more. Next year! We took a covered wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch and it was huge....lots of pumpkins to choose from. Angel walked all over the patch trying to decide on which one to get....my friend's rule for her kids is they can bring back whatever they can carry...I like that rule! Angelica actually decided to go with a smaller pumpkin so she could also carry one back for Emma....so sweet!!! They have a produce store there as well with lots of yummy fruits and veggies to buy. We lucked out with the weather too, it was a bit cold and foggy but dry! Then we went to a park on the way home and had a picnic lunch by the water. The kids enjoyed throwing rocks in the water and then we headed home....a fun day was had by all! I was kind of hoping the bumpy wagon ride would break my water, but no such luck!!

Fall

I love this season....the cooler weather, fires in the woodstove, gorgeous fall colors, the smells of leaves and pumpkins and autumn candles, the hot cider, soups, breads and getting out some decorations. We set up a hay scene on our porch each year and the girls love it this year....they love to go play with the scarecrows and pumpkins. So I posted below some pics of our fall decorations as I have been seeing lots of others, love to look at what people do!! And if you have any good fall recipes, please share!! I am looking forward to carving the pumpkins soon and roasting those seeds!

Preschool Days

I posted before about our ideas and curriculums I am trying to use for some fun preschool learning with Angelica. A friend of mine who has a son about Angel's age have also decided to do a school day together every two weeks. We are using the Handwriting Without Tears manual for helping with correct letter formation. My friend has cut out the letter pieces just like the program's wood ones out of cardboard for now and those help. We have met once already and done letters L and O....we are trying to tie them into certain things going on. So L was for Leaves for fall and O for orange and round like pumpkins. We do letter worksheets, the cardboard pieces, color the letters, and make them out of play-do. Then we do story time with books that I can find that tie into the letters, or theme for that week. We are incorporating the program and music I purchased from Making Music Praying Twice and I cannot wait to add some instruments and such to our collection and fun. Then we do a craft or two and have lunch together. We made tissue paper leaves last time and Angel loved it! Angel knows so many of her letters already but it is fun to practice and expound on them with friends and learn the correct formation as well. Yesterday we went to a pumpkin patch together (I will do a post on) and so next week we are going to get together to do letters P and B for pumpkins and birthday since it will be Eddie's birthday. So looking forward to paining our pumpkins they picked and making picture frames with a pumpkin patch picture and celebrating his birthday! Of course, this is hoping I will not have a baby before then....that would be a great B word!!!

Baby Update

Had an appointment this week and baby's head is DOWN, thank the Lord! I was worried with as active as this child has been and still is that this would not be the case. So that brought a lot of peace of mind. I am 50% effaced and 1.5cm dilated....so progress. Will keep you posted as I am feeling the time is getting close!! Can't wait to see her little face and we are still undecided big time on names!!!

Good Reads

This is a post that appeared on one of my favorite sites, Building Cathedrals. Click HERE to check it out, all about pros and cons and advice and opinions about celebrating Halloween, All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day etc. The post is great and all the comments are even better. For us, we enjoy celebrating both. We feel fortunate to live in a pretty good neighborhood and I have such fond memories of dressing up and going door to door with my pumpkin to receive goodies. It is even more fun now to have my girls wearing the costumes I wore when I was their age. The past couple of years we have always had some friends and my youngest sister over for soup and cider and they get ready and go trick or treating. Angel had a blast last year!! We do however realize the dangers out there, some worse for others and our plans might have to change along the years. On the other hand, we love to celebrate All Saints Day as well. How fun to learn more about them and dress up like your favorite etc. I am bummed as right now our church's All Saints Day party is held on Halloween so we have to choose which to go to, wish it was actually on All Saints Day. So we shall see and I am sure traditions will change but for now...keep your eyes peeled for a couple of very cute cats!!

Another GREAT read (in my opinion) is THIS LINK to an article and interview about the truths and myths and facts about the swine flu, vaccines etc. As many of you have read in my past posts about vaccinations (which are all on my sidebar under label vaccines) it is a topic we have heavily researched over the past couple of years and made lots of decisions about and continue to do so. I feel even more confident in our decision not to get the flu shot or H1N1 vaccine right now....and so glad to hear that the New York state supreme court put a hold on the mandate that all health care workers were forced to get the vaccine or get fired....finally some confirmation and support for informed consent and personal health decisions!!! Anyways, check it out, some good information and what you will not hear in most of our biased media that loves government regulation and providing only the extreme cases to us on the nightly news! Bottom line....do the research yourself and make decisions that are best for you and your family and do not penalize others for theirs!

WII Fit

While I haven't even learned how to use this yet, Angelica is enjoying the stretching exercises!

Another first (hopefully last!)

So Friday I just wasn't convinced Emma's "Nursemaid's Elbow" was the only cause behind her pain from her fall the other night. She would still not use her hand in certain ways and would grab her wrist area saying "ouch, mama, ouch!" quite often. So to Urgent Care we went that night. They did x-rays and sure enough.....Emma has a fractured wrist and a bulge in the ulna. Luckily no huge breaks, but close! So the doctor wanted to hard splint her so that everything can heal with no further injury. All the doctors have been amazed at how she reacts to the pain and them poking her....she has a very high pain tolerance and just gives them dirty looks when it starts to hurt. She was such a trooper through the exam and x-rays and then getting the splint on. Of course after they put on the hard cast part and wrapped in in the ace bandage I told them I was concerned she would undo the pins and unravel the cast....so they put some great pink bandage wrap over it and so far so good. Poor baby though....having a bit of a hard time figuring out how to eat, grab toys, use her fingers etc. Although, it doesn't slow her down!! We can't take it off or get it wet, which makes her fun bath times very interesting. So far she is sleeping OK with it and Angelica loves to give it kisses. The clothes situation is becoming interesting as nothing fits over the huge arm now! Amazing how things as "easy" as clothes, eating, bathing etc can become such a challenge. I have to call the pediatrician tomorrow to see what she wants to do, but the doctor said most likely do another x-ray sometime to check progress, possibly hard cast (although this is pretty much the same thing) and could possibly on for 3-4 weeks! So maybe her big TWO birthday present will be getting her arm back! I guess God just figured we could use or need a little more excitement to add to the arrival of a newborn any day! I really was hoping I wouldn't have to experience this phase of motherhood yet...but at the same time not surprised that Emma is the first!! Hopefully our little monkey girl will slow down a bit! (Ya right as this morning my mom was rescuing her from climbing the stage steps at church!)


Here is Emma sporting and modeling her new fashion accessory:

Showing it off to Big Sister (who by the way, cried for Emma when she got the cast on!):

Enjoying the tons of stickers the nurses gave her:

And everything is better with a strawberry smoothie, right?!

Sunflowers, anyone??

Hubby harvested (with Angelica's "help") last week all his sunflowers from the garden that had bloomed. As you can see, we obviously have more than we know what to do with, so anyone that has stopped by in the last week has left with some!! SO...if you are in need or want of some beautiful sunflowers, PLEASE stop by...he has even more to go pick! And to think he started these massive flowers all from seed!

Bear Bed Buddy

Thanks Aunty Megs for this big bear....I sleep with it every nap and night time. (seriously, this bear has not left her bed since she got it!!!)

Summer Plans

What will you be doing in June? I will hopefully be able to witness the birth of a niece or nephew. Yes, that's right....Caitlin and Casey are expecting Baby Sullivan we think some time that month! We are excited and it will be fun having a cousin so close. Hoping Caitlin doesn't get the horrible sick genes I got but has a non-sick pregnancy like my other sis. We will keep you posted on the news. Caitlin, keep sucking those mints, getting rest and fulfill those cravings!

Baby Hartsell Site

We did a baby website with the other two girls and really enjoyed it. It was a fun way to keep all the baby pics, updates, and information together and have people leave them messages. Usually after the first few months and baptism days, I close the site and get an archival CD made. This CD then goes into their baby books as a special keepsake. I brought them out the other day and really enjoyed reading everything and looking back at all the comments and pictures. I know they will treasure these one day as well. So.....we have set up Baby Hartsell's new site and I will keep a link to it on the sidebar. Please take a look and leave her some messages...we will keep it updated and hopefully have some big news to share soon!!
http://www.babyjellybeans.com/web/do/site/home?ID=566228

New Phases of Motherhood

Well, I have been holding my breath for the scary experiences and phase of motherhood to start occurring....the one of having to deal with major injuries. Our little Emma Bemma Boo has always been an active one. Her nickname has been Monkey-Do....mostly because she does everything her big sister does but also because she is our little monkey....no fear and loves to climb. The other night we had a few errands to get done and went to the mall. The girls went to the little play place and in a matter of minutes Emma fell onto her left arm and just started screaming. There were no immediate signs of broken bones or swelling, bruising or anything. But over the next couple of hours she kept complaining about it, wouldn't use it to pick anything up or bear weight on. So of course the local Urgent Cares were all closed so I decided to wait it out until the morning. Well, she was up from 1am-5am just crying and not wanting to sleep and saying her arm hurt and wanted to go to the doctors!! So yesterday morning we went to the pediatrician who after examining her said she didn't think anything was broken or at this point needing an x-ray. She diagnosed it as Nursemaid's Elbow which I guess can be pretty common in toddlers. After a slight manipulation she thinks she fixed it. Emma did start using it more than she had been so I am hopeful that that was it! But still last night and today when I get her dressed or if she falls or certain movements, she will grab her wrist/hand area and say owie. So....while it is better and at least she can sleep etc....I may take her in to have an x-ray just to be sure nothing else is going on. Please say a prayer that it is just sore and on the mend and we are in no need of cast, sling etc.....would be an interesting time with a newborn on the way!

Ready

I have not been one to thoroughly enjoy being pregnant. Never feel like I have "that glow" or the "cute baby bump" etc. After the first trimester, I am always just excited not be so nauseated and get back to some sense of "normal" that doesn't involve craving for everything unhealthy, wanting to be close to a toilet, or dreading things like opening the refrigerator, taking in surrounding smells or just being vertical. During the second trimester, I usually have a pretty good experience but then the anxieties of getting ready, changing routines, finding clothes to fit etc all start to set in. Once I get to this third trimester and last several weeks, I AM JUST READY. I start to waddle and puff up. I get stuck on the couch and feel like I need a push to get up. This baby is so active I feel like I am getting bruised by her kicks and movements. I have horrible heartburn/acid reflux and am tired of taking Zantac. I need a step stool to wash dishes as my belly is too big to stand in front of sink and reach the faucet, I have no lap left for the other girls to enjoy and I find myself crying at silly commercials and stories. Plus the anxieties of how will labor and delivery go, will the baby be healthy etc all start to set in.

But then I remember the sweet and miraculous moment of that newborn being placed in my arms....I remember the first time I nurse them, the first smells of their sweet skin...seeing all the love and joy they bring to our family....and somehow the past nine months seem so distant and worth the journey. It is amazing as a mother how your emotions and body go through such incredible changes and then in one instant can all be put into perspective and make you want to do it all over again.....ok well maybe not that day or month....but eventually!!

So please keep prayers coming that we make it through these last couple of weeks with a positive attitude and joyful anticipation. I go Monday for my first check and hopefully things are progressing and on the move!! While I am ready for these "joys" of pregnancy to be over, I am more READY to hold this new little girl in my arms!!

My Sweet Silly Girl

Mr. Laurence

...or otherwise known as my dad or Poppy. The girls enjoyed going to see him do some of the show's songs and performances at Barnes and Noble las weekend. He has done such a good job

Happy (belated) Birthday "Old" Man!

Saturday we celebrated my hubby's big 30th Birthday! I get to tease him for at least the next 4 months until it is my turn. While he didn't really enjoy seeing the black balloons and decorations and family members showing up in black attire....he was a good sport and wore his funny hat and button and took it all in stride. Thirty always sounded so old and now that we are reaching this milestone, I think it sounds really young! Happy Birthday babe, we love you!!!

Jason and his women

The Men

Daddy's Helpers

Fresh from Hubby's Garden

....although sadly the last ones of the season probably.

Couch Cousins

Chris, Megs and Albert came in form NYC for a visit. Emma still calls Albert "baby albert" even though he is almost bigger than she is and knocks her over all the time. She loves to give him things but gets a little terrified when he attacks her. Angelica on the other hand LOVES how he chases her and grabs her face.....she just loves playing with him. We tried to get some pics of the three of them the other night at my parents house. We got some cute shots, but here are a few funny ones...gotta love how the parents help with the posing!

Thanks Mom

Mom watched all three of the grandchildren the other night while the parents went to see Little Women....and she survived! And the girls had a blast with Marmee and baby Albert. Mom took some beautiful pics, Emma is looking so big!!!

Castles

Angel is really enjoying building with blocks and yet everything she builds has to be "a big castle!"