Spring Break - Day 1

I have been trying to prepare myself all month, with much fear and trembling for spring break. This is the first year that it actually mattered that Matt's spring break was a different week then the kids, and I have been kind of bummed out that he wouldn't be around to help. I knew that I wasn't going to have a lot of energy to keep up with Tully this week and I considered putting him in some sort of soccer camp or something but most of his friends are out of town and I didn't want to send him if he didn't know anyone. So that left a week at home with only me to entertain. Very frightening. Especially since I haven't been in the best of moods lately.
So today was day one. The kids got up at their normal time but they actually let me sleep in until about 7:45. They were distracted by the fact that I actually let them get up and turn on cartoons. When they kept yelling "Mommy, we're really hungry!" I knew I should get up or I might be turned in for neglect.

I had a doctors appointment  and Angela volunteered to come over and watch all the kids. The appointment was short and the good news was that the baby turned. No more breech baby!!! The doctor said he looks really healthy and that my fluid levels are great. We hung out around the house the rest of the morning with Angela, Abby and Aaron until early afternoon. Angela even got Tully to practice piano! Great way to pass time :)

After they left the kids and I decided to do some serious crafting. Abby had made a cute flower earlier in the day and Tessa and I decided to make more with some embellishments. Tully was creating rocket ships and volcanos.

It was a big messy time of using whatever we could find and getting sticky with glue. It was actually lot's of fun and reminded me that I need to sit down more often and actually do stuff, like craft projects with my kids before there is another baby here that needs me. 

We finished off the afternoon at Yo Yum Yum's 

I would say we had a successful first day. Wouldn't you?

Demolition & Goats

The Siecks house is being torn down on Tuesday and in preparation they had a demolition party on Friday night. It was lot's of fun, not exactly safe and probably the only time we will get to destroy a house! 

Tessa also fell in love with the new 

baby goats. She is such an animal lover!!

The comings and goings.

Tully has been talking about leprechauns all month. Tessa on the other hand has been worrying that leprechauns might show up at some point. Last night after they went to bed we set up green footprints around the house and messed up their rooms (because that's what leprechauns do) we also turned the toilet water and the milk green. Tully was thrilled when he woke up this morning. Tessa thought it was funny but has been asking me all morning, with a semi worried look on her face if they are going to come back.

I have been trying to remain positive about being at the point in pregnancy where all you want to do is sleep but then when you get a chance you can't. It's just impossible to feel comfortable and I wake myself up because I am snoring so badly. Last night Matt decided to sleep on the couch. I woke up at midnight to the worst sound, it sounded like  a mix between a baby screaming and cats fighting. I could hear that it was coming from the chicken coop. Turns out a raccoon finally noticed that we have had chickens for the past couple of years. He snatched one right out of the coop and there is little trace of it. The bummer is that he will probably be back for the other 3 unless we get rid of them. So sad!

As for baby news, I have been to the doctor twice this week and everything looks good. My levels have stayed the same the last 3 weeks and the doctor doesn't expect that they would go up very significantly before I deliver. They are starting me on fetal monitoring next week to track the baby's heart rate, fluid levels and my contractions. The doctor I saw yesterday told me to "try to take it easy." Does he not know that I have 2 other kids to entertain, dinner to make, laundry to wash, and spring break activities to plan, etc? I just kind of laughed and said I would try.

I'm kind of obsessed with our house right now. This is my new favorite spot.

And that's what's going on.

Busy Week!

We have had a busy week!
Tessa and I were downtown and she decided that she wanted to get her ears pierced. I told her how much it hurts and that they use a special gun to do each ear but she still wanted to do it. I tried a little more to talk her out of it and made sure she really new how much it would hurt. She was sure of herself though so into Claire's we went. Um, when did getting your ears pierced start to cost SO much? I'm pretty sure it was maybe $10 when I was a kid but it's much more expensive now. But Tessa was already sitting in the chair and had picked out her earrings. The shocked look on her face when the teenager, woman in the store did the first ear almost made me cry but Tessa recovered and the woman did the next ear. She didn't cry or scream at all and she has been very happy with the results.

Matt's Dad and Stepmom came to visit. They helped us move the chicken coop to a new location and I am so much happier with the chickens in a bigger space that is still contained. The next night the Camarillo cousins came up for dinner and at some point when we were saying goodbye Tully realized that he had lost his first tooth!!! We think he swallowed it around dessert time.  He wrote the tooth fairy a letter to explain what happened.

Luckily the tooth fairy understood why there wasn't a tooth under the pillow.
I decided that I couldn't stand another day not being able to see Tullys eyes so we went to get haircuts. Tessa decided she wanted to cut her hair short (apparently she is changing her image this week?) Everyone looks super cute and ready for warm weather!

Matt's Mom and Stepdad came to visit the next day and we they got lots of gardening done. The backyard looks much better and one of the vegetable beds is planted and the other is all ready. I spent my time trying to help and trying not to have a baby to early. Lot's of braxton hicks are happening and I am trying to rest a little more. Easier said than done! We had fun enjoying the warm weather and eating on the deck! Can't wait for more of that this summer.

Changing

How on earth do these kids keep getting bigger and smarter every day? It feels like just yesterday they were so little and dependent on us for everything!!

 Tessa is 'finding her 4 year old self' and is constantly changing everyday between a big girl and little girl. She is very conflicted about who exactly she wants to be. Independent? Or dependent? As always with Tessa, she does things in extremes. It is fun, sweet, and scary to watch her navigate!

Tully, Tully, Tully. There is always something going on with him. He has been navigating life with his right arm in a cast and it's doesn't seem to be slowing him down a bit. He is always on the go, constantly wanting to play soccer, basketball and swim. His favorite thing in the world right now is school and I can only hope this continues for many years to come!!

Today Tully came home, grabbed a book and started reading. So exciting!! He is changing so much everyday and kindergarten has been so fun for him and me!

Christmas in Modesto

I have been so bad at updating our blog! My goal this weekend is to at least get some pictures up. Enjoy!

Thankfulness

Every day I think to myself, today I'm going to update our blog. Yet every day seems to slip by in a blur of kids, school, work, sickness and exhaustion. Luckily it's getting better, the sickness is going away and I am finding myself with a little more energy these days.
During this season I am reminded of how thankful I am for my growing family. Last year during this time we were still trying to get over the heartbreak of a miscarriage, and I walked around during Thanksgiving and Christmas time in a strange fog. This year we are thankful for answered prayers, healthy kids, fun family time and the excitement of meeting our new baby BOY in the upcoming year! :)