Date With the Devil

So in case you missed the original plan involved in this whole Pitty move, let me refresh.
Parents arrive July 1st.- check
My Favoritest starts new job in Pitty July 2- check
My Favoritest returns home for Sadie's scheduled arrival on July 9- check
I come home from hospital healthy and only doped on on percocet- check
My Favoritest returns to Pitty July 15- check
The next part of the plan invovled a quick check in at the doctor's office the day before the movers.  This is where the plan went down hill fast!
I had been having a headach for about 4 days.  It wasn't a horrible headache, it got better with medicine, and let's face it, I was under a lot of stress.  Given all this, I had decided it was just a headache and nothing to be worried about.  So, when I went to the doctor's office for a quick blood pressure check and incision check, I was really expecting a 10 minute visit.  
The visit was 10 minutes, because that's all the time it took for them to determine my blood pressure was through the roof high.  The nurse practitioner sent me home and said she would call after talking to the doctor in the office that day.  I barely made it home before she called telling me to go to the hospital for labs.  Then, before I could even process that information, she called back and told me to go to the ER.  Now I was in a panic!  I called My Favoritest and told him to get back as quickly as he could.  
After a short germy wait in the "quiet room" of the ER (Where we overheard discharge instructions that included "do not drink and ride your bicyle any more", serious vomiting, and got to hear about a mans 3 week battle with constipation) we got put in a room on the pediatric side of the ER.  Sometimes, there are perks to the fellow lifestyle.  One of My Favoritest's coworkers got us put back on the peds side.  When OB came down to see me, they basically said they thought given my history and the symptoms that I was having pre-eclampsia.  They wanted to admit me and treat me with magnesium which will now be referred to as the devil's drug.   If you have never had the pleasure of this medicine, give a shout out to God saying thanks right now.  It is awful.  The minute it starts, you entire body begins to feel hot.  And by entire, I mean from the tips of your toes to the tips of your teeth.  It feels like you are laying on an electric blanket on a desert island at high noon.  And that is just the start of the fun.  The devil's drug relaxes all your smooth muscules, so your whole body feels like jelly.  They won't let you get out of bed.  This means a catheter.  Yippeee!  It also means that the strenght it takes to lift a fork to your mouth isn't worth the effort given the crappy food they bring you.  And if this isn't enough fun, there is the constant monitoring of vital signs.  This goes on for 24 hours.  It sucks the big one!  By the time the devil's drug was done running, my arm was bruised from all the bp checks and I was exhausted.
Did I mention that this all started the day before the movers were coming to pack our house?  that's right!  Chaos!  On that end of my life, My Favoritest got home late Thursday night and was there to help Bubbie with the girls and the movers Friday morning.  Lucky for us,I had already planned on sending Doodle down the street to play.  We are so lucky to have the friends and neighbors that we do.  The packers packed the house and when I arrived home from my second hospital stay, they were busy loading the truck. Definitely not the plan I had made.  But, at least we were all safe and happy and healthy!

July 19 

July 20

This is what the Devil's drug does to you.  Makes you look like a crack head who needs a fix!

Where Sleeping Baby Sleeps Best

What a couple of weeks it has been! I can't believe that so much has happened in our lives. I have a smattering of stories and pictures to share. They are once again out of order, because I have stories to go along with them. Also, I would like it noted that even with a newborn and an state to state move, I am only about 2 weeks behind on posting. When Doodle was born, my dear friend JJ gave me one piece of advice: Put that baby to bed sleepy but awake! We took her advice and also borrowed her copy of Babywise. We weren't rigid about a schedule, but did work hard to establish a routine of eat, play, sleep. Doodle was a great sleeper. We never had to cry it out or rock her to sleep. I have freely admitted that I think this miricale was a combination of her personality and our efforts. Along comes number 2 and we do the exact same thing. Only problem is, she is having none of it! Only other problem is, our life is in chaos. On top of the move, absent father, and healign from a c-section, I had a little issue with pre-eclampsia (more on that in the next post).So, here is where the baby likes to sleep best.

July 18 (364/365)


The second picture is one of where we would really like her to sleep. Overall, she is getting better at bed sleeping everyday. I can't really blame her. If I could sleep in a vibrating papizan chair all day every day, I sure would!

July 21 (somehow I got screwed up on my counting of days but this is still part of the 365 days)

Obsessed!

Doodle is OBSESSED with her little sister. That is the only way to describe their relationship. Unless i want to call my 3 year old a stalker which when it comes to baby Sadie, she might be. If Sadie makes a sound, Doodle drops what she is doing and runs for the baby. Don't get me wrong, I would much rather have her be obsessed and in love that jealous and mean. Here is a picture of the familiar scene in our house. Doodle is constantly wanting to peek in on her little sister. Love this picture!

July 15 (361/365)

FOURteenth of July

Apparently Sisterwife and Landlord are faithful readers of this blog.  It appears they noticed my sadness at our lack of 4th of July celebrations.  In my mind, the 4th festivities were always going to be our last hurrah with our friends.  It was a way to get together without focusing on our impending move.  So, while they were visiting plotting to steal Sadie at the hospital, Sisterwife and Landlord informed me we were cooking out over the weekend.  It was a perfect evening.  The kids were wild, the food was good, there was rain so we didn't stay outside and the boys drank beer.  Before the evening was over, I remembered to get a picture taken of the 3 of us.  I have to give a shout out to Sisterwife's husband (does that make him my brother husband?).  He was smart enough to realize that 5 days post-partum I would not appreciate a full body photo.  

July 14 (360/365)

I will not get mushy, but you girls know my true feelings for you!  You have made Virginia my home and you have been my family away from family.  Love you both!

Seeing Double

Just had to share these two photos of my girls.  Both were taken on the way to their first pediatrician appointment.  Doodle was about 6 days old and Sadie was 5 days old.  Just love that I can have a such similar pictures of my babies.  I think it will be fun for them to look at when they are older:)  Hopefully it will be the first of many outfits and moments that share:)

Doodle

Sadie

Settling In

I really don't want to be the parent that the gushes over every second of my kids lives.  I know they are only moderately interesting to everyone else, but guess what?  Too bad!  I started this blog to document a year in my life.  It has turned into so much more and has really evolved into a journal for my family.  Thursday found us evicted from the hospital.  All good things must come to an end and it was time for us to head home.  Like any good Southern mom, I had carefully selected a sweet smocked bubble with a matching bonnet for Sadie to wear home.  And like any good West baby, she was so tiny it swallowed her whole.  Too bad, she was going to wear it home:) 

We arrived home to a very excited big sister.  Doddle ran down the sidewalk to meet us.  She couldn't wait to see Baby Sadie and Mommy and Daddy.  She wanted me to see the flowers she got us and the balloon.  I am not going to lie.  It was not the peaceful homecoming I had imagined.  Between the blackout hotel stay, Daddy being out of town, us being in the hospital, a new sister, Zayde leaving, my little Doodle was a little overwhelmed.  She was loud and whiney and needy.  We were tired, hungry, and also a little overwhelmed.  Not such a great combination.  I did manage to get a couple of pictures that make it look like our first few hours home were calm and peaceful.  Hopefully this is what we will all remember!

July 12 (358/365)

She is so proud to be a big sister

While the first few hours of being at home were not perfect, we all got into a rhythm and Doodle is quickly settling down.  She is figuring out all the things that a big sister can do.  That first night home, My Favoritest took Doodle to the book store just to get out of the house.  They came home with a new Curious George book.  Knowing that Doodle needed some mommy time, I told her we could read a story before bed.  Sadie was awake and joined us for the first Curious George story in the book.  Doodle watched as her little sister calmed down and feel asleep on my chest as we read.  

The next night, after dinner Sadie was a little fussy and was in her papisan chair chilling out.  Doodle ran and got her Curious George book and said "Baby Sadie, I will read to you so you will calm down".

July 13 (359/365)

 That evening, Doodle wanted to share her story time with Sadie so badly, that I got her up from a peaceful sleep to lay her on my chest and read with us.  I couldn't resist the pleas of a Doodle wanting to share her special time with her sister.  It was so sweet to me that I even called for My Favoritest to come take a picture even though I am was already in my jammies.  I know it can't last forever, so I am trying to enjoy the newness of the baby is Doodle's eyes.

Links to the Past

Being a military brat, I have learn that home is more a feeling than a place.  I have learned that items and things hold the sentimental value that childhood homes hold for many people.  In some ways, this is a great gift.   I can bring my "home" with me where ever I go.  That thought leads me to this picture and story.  
Around the time I turned 10, my Grandma Mantel died.  I was pretty devastated.  Although she lived in Chicago and we lived in South GA, we had a wonderful relationship.  She would come and stay with us for the entire winter.  And we usually spent a week or so in Chicago each summer.  I can still remember what her apartment building looked like.  There was a really cool fountain in the lobby.  Her apartment had coffee candies on top of the microwave.  The spare bedroom (where Hank and I slept) had to recliners, a built in book shelf, and a tv.  I will always remember waking up in those chairs and  snuggling into the feather pillows and our covers to watch Bozo the Clown.  


After the funeral, all the grand children got to pick something special to us to take from Grandma's apartment.  I took a feather pillow.  Bubbie asked me several times if I was sure that was what I wanted.  It was totally what I wanted.  We didn't have feather pillows at our house.  And this one smelled like the cedar chest Grandma kept it in.  So the pillow is what I took.  I also took some small figurines that lived on the shelves in that spare room as well (I hope to put some in the girls rooms once we get settled).  But the pillow was my link to my grandmother.  


And somehow, it became part of my story.  My past, and present linked together.  I took the pillow everywhere with me.  It has been there for the highs and lows in my life.  I was holding it when I opened my acceptance letter to college.  I cried when I thought I lost it in France.  I am sure I slept with it the night before I got married.  It went with me to hospital when Doodle was born.  Over the years it has aged.  I know it is gross.  It is not even comfortable for sleeping.  But I will not throw it away and I always keep it in bed.  It is my link to my grandmother.  So as I packed my last minute things for the hospital, I slipped my pillow into my regular pillowcase. 


As I took these pictures of Sadie Jane, I couldn't help but think how pleased my grandma would be to know that I have 2 beautiful daughters.  I still miss her, 24 years later, but I know that she is watching over my little family with a smile on her face!

July 11 (357/365)

And one more up close so you can see that sweet little face!

Getting To Know You

We spent the second day of Sadie's life getting to know each other, taking pain pills, sleeping, and forcing myself to move around.  All in all, about what I expected day 2 post-op.  We had several visitors and enjoyed the company.  In the afternoon, Doodle arrived.  She insisted that Bubbie put her Big Sis shirt back on before they came.  It made my heart sing that she was so proud to be called a big sister.  She was equally excited to see Sadie and play on our phones.  I did manage to get some really good pictures of My Favoritest and his girls.  I am sure that Doodle is going to teach Sadie just how to wrap Daddy around her finger!

Even though you can't see her eyes, you can see the wonder in Doodle's face

July 10 (355/365) 

Please notice how Doodle's finger is inside the paci.  She was instructing Sadie on how to use the paci correctly!

She's Here!

She's here! She's here!  She's here!  And she is perfect!  Sadie Jane was born Monday at 10:51.  She weighed 6 lbs 5oz and was 19 inches long.  She is dainty and soft and perfect.  She has the softest nose I have ever felt in my whole life.  Oh yeah, and a head full of hair too.  
The whole c-section experience was completely different than with Doodle.  This time around I managed to stay awake!  I really tried to take it all in.  As they yanked that kid out from the top of my abdomen, I got my first deep breath in months.  She really had been pushing my lungs and making it hard to breath.  And just a second after I got that breath I heard the most beautiful sound a mother ever hears, the first cries.  That sound that lets you know they have arrived in the world.  As the doctor held the purple scrunchy faced baby over the drape for me to see, I lost it and just started bawling.  They took her over to clean her up and do her apgar (8 by the way) and she screamed the entire time.  Then the nurse brought Sadie over to me and laid her on my chest.  What a difference it was to meet my daughter minutes after she was born instead of an entire day later.  (Doodle was wisked off to the nursery and on oxygen so she couldn't leave the nursery. I was sick and couldn't leave my room for 24 hours so we didn't get aquatinted with each other for what seemed like forever.)  Having her little naked (but thoroughly cleaned)  body laying on me was pretty amazing.   I looked at her face and then looked to My Favoritest.  Through tears I chocked out " She's fine right?  No downs right?" And My Favoritest smiled at me and said no, she looks perfectly normal.  And then I really relaxed and enjoyed the moment.   Enjoyed it enough that I forgot I was in the middle of surgery.  After about 10 minutes they took her to the nursery and My Favoritest followed.  I dozed in and out of sleep and intermittently listened to the doctor teaching the medical student about closing a c-section incision.  The rest of the morning was pretty much run of the mill post delivery stuff.  
Once we got settled into our room, Doodle and Bubbie and Zayde arrived to meet the newest member of the family.  Doodle was so proud to walk in the room.  She was wearing her Big Sis shirt and couldn't wait to see the baby.  She was so gentle with Sadie and with me.  She held her, helped feed her and then played on my phone.  She was the perfect big sister.  After she was done holding, Bubbie and Zayde got their fill of newborn loving.  The whole thing went down just as I imagined.  It was the  perfect welcoming into our world.  Here are a few pictures from Sadie Jane's first couple of days!

Last preggo picture 39 weeks 2 days

July 9 (354/365)
She screamed and screamed and screamed!

And then she calmed down!

First Family Photo

Dr Pound... The man responsible for her safe entry into the world!

And before I finish this post, I have to share 2 more pictures.  I have wonderful friends.  Landlord and Sisterwife brought Sadie her own Birth Day Party!  Okay, so she is too small to enjoy it, but we sure did!  They delivered Sadie's first hand decorated cake (made to match her elephant bedding), sparkling cider, party plates and cups.  It was so sweet.  Although I couldn't eat the cake that night, it has been fantastic to have a sweet treat at my disposal! And having my VA family share in Sadie's first day in the world was priceless.  The best part was the two of them couldn't figure out a solid enough plan for kidnapping Sadie, so they had to leave her with me:)

Kidnapping plotting!  They didn't even have the good graces to do it out of my ear shot! 

Sadie's first custom birthday cake!

Finally Caught Up!

So my mission this week, despite sickness, storms, company, absent husband, and impending birth was to get the blog caught up so I can post about my newest daughter on the actual day she is born.  With this post, I will have accomplished this goal.  There isn't much rhyme or reason or theme to these pictures.  Just a little happenings of the last few days.


When we picked out Sadie's bedding (the elephant stuff from Pottery Barn) I immediately thought about this elephant.  Zayde brought it back from Tialand years and years ago.  It has moved everywhere with us and then Uncle Hank claimed it as his own.  I gave Uncle Hank a call and sweet talked him into letting his newest niece have it to decorate her room.  He was more than happy to agree and it arrived with Bubbie and Zayde this week.  My grand plan was to paint it white and decorate it to match her room.  I had grand visions of a 3 generation art project.  It all started off well.

 We started off giving Ellie (her new name) a little bit of a sponge bath.  Doodle was more than happy to help.

July 5 (350/365)

 Then I painted it white with spray paint.  Unfortunately, the paint didn't work out so well.  You can't tell from this picture but it bubbled and dripped.  Even more unfortunate was that when it dried, it scrapped right off because I decided not to sand her.

 So, I brought her back in and pulled out the power sander.  I sanded and sanded and tried to get into all the nooks and cranies.  Not so easy on a wooden elephant!  After all my efforts, I gave the spray paint another shot.  Not sure if is the heat or the elephant, but same result.  So now my elephant looks a little like it has lepersy.  I have decided that while I am recovering at the U of V, Zayde is in charge of making the elephant pretty and white!

July 8 (353/365)

On a whole different note, the really big news at our house is that Doodle has been wearing panties all week!  I am so proud of her.  It has been a little bit of a struggle, but not too bad overall.  One of her favorite rewards this week has been new piggie polish.  So far this week her nails have been pink, yellow, and orange!  It is just a matter of time before she wants a combination of colors!  We have also bribed her with a trip to Toys R Us and Mudhouse.  At this point I am a firm believer in what ever works!  And apparently Bubbie Magic works every time!

July 6 (351/365)

And last but not least, My Favoritest returned home yesterday.  We have been apart from each other for a lot longer ( Doodle and I are notorious for our long southern road trips), but this week was long and I was missing him something fierce.  I missed him so much, that when he crawled into bed and tangled his feet up with mine, it was comforting and not annoying.  The last few months have been filled with stress, joy, drama, and lots of changes and challenges.  It has definitely reminded me how much I rely on My Favoritest to even me out.  He is the calm to my storm!

July 7 (352/365)

That's about it for now.  Next time I check in with you, I will be a mother of two.  Definitely a whole new chapter starting as The Gang grows bigger! 

Derecho Interruptus

So Friday June 29 started off like any other day around here.  We hung out, had fun regular stuff.  We planned a family date night since it would be our last chance as a family of 3.  We had a pretty good time out together.  The weather was hella-hot, but skies were clear and the air was stagnantly still.  Because of the date night activities, we got home late and Doodle didn't go to bed until a little after 9:00.  All of this is important.  Why you ask?  Because a mere 45 minutes later our little part of the world was hit by a derecho storm.  Go ahead, click on the link.  I had no idea what it was either.  But to say it came out of nowhere is an understatement.  The ONLY reason we knew something was going on outside was because we lost power.  And that is where the story gets fun! 


Since the winds were scary (like deciding between bathtub and closet sleeping scary), we gathered Doodle and the Pup-Pups and headed to the downstairs bed room.  Somehow our kid amused herself in on room, without being scared for 2 hours until the storm died down and we forced her to sleep on a pallet of blankets on the floor.  My Favoritest and I went to sleep and hope to wake to power in the morning.  No such luck.  Not only was there no power but we had limited cell service.  Normally not a problem, but Bubbie and Zayde were on their way to our house and we couldn't get in touch with them. 


So we stayed home and waiting.  I have to tell you at this point in the adventure I was actually enjoying a techno free day.  The house was quiet, Doodle played with toys, I read the giant stack of magazines.  Life wasn't too bad.  But it was getting hotter, and I was officially 38 weeks pregnant.  The rumor mill started flowing and we were hearing estimates of 2-3 days before power was to be restored.  And oh by the way there was a nation wide heat wave starting.  GREAT!!! Finally B&Z arrived and we headed to Waynesboro in hopes of securing a little air conditioning and a hotel.  After 2 hours sitting in the Chick Fil A and calling every hotel within a 50 mile radius we were without a hotel.  Luckily My Favoritest remembered that one of his attendings has a guest house that they rent out.  He gave Dr. Dan a call and discovered that the guest house was available for 1 night only.  B,Z, Doodle and I packed our stuff and headed out the door.  My Favoritest stayed at the sweat lodge with the pup-pups.  As we walked into our house for the night, Doodle immediately found the puzzles on the toy shelf.  All I saw was 24 piece puzzles similar to ones we had a home.  I encouraged her to pick out a puzzle, and then started talking to Dr. Dan's wife.  BIG MISTAKE!  When I turned around again, I realized Doodle had found a wooden puzzle with at least 200 pieces and dumped it on the floor.  We had no clue what the picture was, which way it went in the tray, but now had the joy of putting it back together.  So this is how Bubbie and Zayde and I spent our evening.

Turns out it was a picture of a unicorn in the mountains with a lovely castle behind it!  Needless to say once we got it put back to gather it went on a high shelf!


Following our restful night in the guest house, we headed back home to say good bye to My Favoritest and the pup-pups as they were leaving for the Pitty (as previously planned).  After they hit the road, we all headed back to Waynesboro.  Landlord had called and let us know that The Best Western who had been without power the day before had power restored and was going to be taking reservations starting around 3:00.  Never one to follow the rules, I called immediately (around 10:45) and was told to call back in an hour.  At 11:45 I secured us 2 rooms filled with chilled air.  We returned to the sweat lodge to gather more supplies.  We got settled at the BW and took a nap.  When I woke up I had 4 missed calls from landlord.  The only voice message was asking for a huge favor.  I figured they had given up on their own sweat lodge accommodations too late and there were no rooms left, and were hoping to bunk down with us.  When I called Landlord back, she confirmed that was the original request, but that they managed to get the very last room at the BW.  This was great news.  It mean party time for Doodle, Eldest, and Youngest.  


We all enjoyed a lovely bread filled dinner at Outback.  I am pretty sure the girls each at a loaf of that delicious stuff.  We then returned to the BW and got the girls suited up.  Bubbie and I went to Target for a few things and left Doodle with her Zayde to head to the indoor pool for a pool party with Eldest and Youngest.  By the time I returned, Doodle had tired of the pool and was upstairs waiting for her friends to come by for a marshmallow snack.  As a result, I have no pictures of their pool fun.  Also as a result of the lateness and wetness of the snack time I have no picture of that either.  But, I promise fun was had by all (except the poor folks in the room below us). 

July 1 (346/365)

The next day we decided to gather food supplies for the hotel so we would only have to eat dinner out.  At this point they were estimating another 3-5 days before power would be restored.  After a trip to the store we came back to the BW and had a lunch picnic hotel style!

July 2 (347/365)

As we tucked Doodle into bed (on time for once in this whole adventure) we got word that power had been restored.  Zayde and I headed back to the house to check that all was working well.  I assumed that when I returned 45 minutes later Doodle would be fast asleep and  I could fire up the computer and blog/facebook away.  Instead I returned to a wide eyed kid in the middle of a king size bed!  I laid down with her and tried getting her to go to sleep, but something gave us both a case of the giggles.  She laughed so hard she got the hiccups.  I sent her next door to tell Bubbie about the situation.  Bubbie offered to give her some sugar for the hiccups.  As Bubbie poured half a packet of sugar into her mouth the look on her face was priceless.  Remember my kid doesn't like frosting!  She was horrified!  Bubbie and I were laughing so hard we almost got the hiccups.  Needless to say this whole sleep situation was now out of control.   Bubbie tried laying down with her in hopes that she would calm down.  It didn't work:) The kid didn't pass out until almost 11:00!

The next morning we ate our continental breakfast and got ready to leave.  As we walked out to get the cars, Doodle was investigating the motorcycles parked under the covered drive way.  When I left her, she was holding Bubbie's hand.  When I returned a short 2 minutes later, this is what I found.

July 3 (348/365)

My kid had turned into a biker!  She was so excited.  We count motorcycles every day as we drive around town so she was really thrilled to get to sit on one.  

Because of all the weather and power issues the 4th of July went the way most holidays have during this pregnancy.  We pretty much ignored it.  I will admit, I was really sad.  The 4th has become one of my favorite times with our friends since we moved to VA.  We all sit around eat ourselves sick, the kids play, the boys drink.  It's great.  But due to the black out Sisterwife and Landlord were both out of town.  The parade and fireworks were cancelled earlier in the week, and it was just hard to get in the spirit.  So this is all I have you.

July 4 (349/365)

Happy Birthday America from the inside of my washing machine:)

So This Is Why People Have Husbands!

My Favoritest had an entire week off before he went to Pixburb.  I was equal parts excited to have him around and spend time with him, and dreading having him throw me off my routine when I had lots to do!  Usually when he is home he is a bad influence on both Doodle and I.  We don't get moving till late in the day.  We end up taking the long way around to get anything done.  Things just don't happen when he is around.  Well, this week, I must eat my words.  He was super productive.  He cleaned out my car, scrubbed the mats, cleaned out his car, cleaned the front porch, changed light bulbs,  took Doodle to Little Gym, and dealt with a whiney strep infected 3 year old.  It was pretty awesome if I do say so myself.  Sisterwife and I always laugh that we can totally understand how it would be nice to have a second wife around, but that you couldn't pay either of us to have a second husband! Well, if I had someone this helpful home all the time, I might consider it!
Here's a picture of Doodle helping My Favoritest replace a light bulb.  She was so excited that Daddy asked her to help him!

June 29 (344/365)

The only thing My Favoritest didn't do all week was shave:)  Here's my bearded man!

June 28 (343/365)

Heat Hibernation

The last few weeks have involved lots of inside time.  What can I say, I'm very pregnant and it is very hot!  So we have hung out at home a good bit.  Lucky for me, my kid likes to play with her toys.  Here are a couple of pictures from the last few weeks around our house!


My dear friend Casey gave Doodle a book of puzzles for the holidays last year.  I will admit, in the last few months I have cursed your name Mrs. Pollock!  She wanted so badly to be able to put them together but just couldn't.  It usually ended in frustration and tears.  Finally, she was able to understand how to do a jigsaw puzzle and now she is a puzzle lovin fool!

June 18 (333/365)

 One recent night, I was not feeling well.  Doodle climbed in bed with me while I rested.  She asked to look at pictures on my phone.  I dozed, she watched.  We were all happy.  I headed downstairs to feed the pup-pups while she watched her self on my phone.  About 10 minutes later she came down and handed me the phone.  Very seriously she said "I want to play with this!" and on the screen was this video

It was taken about a year and a half ago and the ball pit has bit the dust since then.  For the next 45 minutes, our child cried, whined, pouted, and was seriously dismayed that a toy she knows she once owned was no longer in our house.  I promise, it wasn't a bratty 45 minutes, but a very hurt and confused 45 minutes.  As I hung up the phone with Bubbie, whom I had called to let her chuckle at her granddaughter, my Favoitest looks up from the computer and says "a new one will be here Thursday!" Don't tell me that child doesn't have her Daddy wrapped around all 10 of her little fingers!  So here is my sweet child loving her new ball pit! 

June 22 (337/365)

 And much to my surprise, when it was time to clean it up, here is that same sweet child willingly helping me to clean up the ball pit!

June 26 (341/365)

And what would a week indoors be without a little train time? For the little friends of course!

June 20 (335/365)

Really Ready! Really!

So while Doodle and My Favoritest enjoyed a date at Chick-a-Way, I enjoyed my own night out. My night involved actually acting like we are going to have a second child moving into our house in less than a month (at the time of the picture).  I hit the Target and gathered all the things I could think of that needed to be replaced.  The best part of the story is that I took the money from the garage sale and only spent about $20 out of the checking account!  Love it when that happens!

June 17 (332/365)

Along the same lines I finally made Doodle a calendar to help her keep up with everyone's comings and goings.  It was getting a little confusing to her to keep up with the time line in relation to Sadie and Pixburb. 

June 23 (338/365)

And, just to make everyone else more comfortable, I actually packed a hospital bag.  When I was pregnant with Doodle, I was in such denial that I was going to have a baby that my dear friends JJ and Maimie had to come and pack a bag for me, seriously!  They will both be glad to know it is packed, and yes JJ, I got the important stuff:)

June 27 (342/365)

Apparently I am not the only one who decided a little last minute planning was in order.  I took a few minutes to look over "What to Expect the First Year".  I left the book on the couch and ever since Doodle has been enjoying reading the book about "taking care of baby Sadie".  At least one of us will know what is going on!

June 30 (345/365)

Daddy Date Night

While sitting in The Little Gym one day an employee of the Chick-Fil-A at the mall brought in some flyers about a Daddy Daughter Date night.  I was excited for Doodle to have a date with her daddy.  I was even more excited for me to have a date by myself.  They had a great time and she loved having a date with Daddy all by herself!  I dropped her off at My Favoritest's office and forced them both into letting me take some pictures of them together.

June 15 (330/365)