Still here, sorta

As you can tell, I haven't been faithful about updating this blog lately. These days you can find me at AdoptionBlessing.blogspot.com. I started that blog when we were trying to adopt a second time and I have decided to continue that one.

One of my friends at the city took some "serious" photos of me and my award for an employee newsletter. Then the real fun began.

"Give to me your metal. Take from me my lace."

Raise your hand if you're sure.

Does this trophy make my butt look big?

Telly dreamin'.

Neck: "And now for my next disappearing act."

Lovin' the sunshine!

If It Weren't for Bad Luck

I'd have no luck with the cell phones in my life. In the past few months, I've had cell phones land in the toilet and the garbage disposal. Pew!

Oh, God, My Acne's Back and other reasons I wish I was till pregnant

I had a wonderful pregnancy. Sure, there were a couple of things that happened during those 9.5 months that were a little unnerving but all-in-all, I was very lucky.

Here are the reasons I wish I was still pregnant...

1. The return of acne. So soon we meet again.
2. Having a belly like Santa's that "shook when he laughed like a bowl of jelly."
3. The dark parenthesis (stretch marks) on my belly.
4. A nice place to rest my arms.
5. Weekly ultrasounds
6. The excitement of not knowing when baby Matthew would arrive.
7. And the number one reason - feeling my son move within me.

And here are the reasons I'm glad that I'm not pregnant...

1. Hourly trips to the bathroom. (I feel like I have a guy's bladder now in comparison to what I experienced during pregnancy.)
2. The unnerving things that occurred during pregnancy
3. The delivery pain
4. The cervix check - oweechie.
5. The ability to walk up hills and take stairs faster than a turtle. 6. And the number one reason: baby Matthew in my life.

Funny Things Kids Say

The following scene took place at 17:30 tonight. Scene: Liam taking off his socks and shoes in the back seat. Me: "Liam, you're being silly." Jack: "No, he's awnry. He's not going to be on Santa's nice list." Me: "And you are?" Jack: "I feed Matthew sometimes." Me: "So, you're a good boy?" Jack: "I'm a little awnry." Lesson learned: Must remember to bring up the Santa naughty/nice list when kids are misbehaving in the future. May work better than time outs.

Too Close For Comfort

Recently, we've had several rounds of severe storms in the area. Last night, the lightning was flickering like a light bulb ready to burn out and the thunder was loud enough to make the house vibrate. Jack woke up and crawled into our bed. I was thirsty so I got up. As I walked down the hallway, I heard an eerie sound coming from Liam's bedroom. I located the culprit-a Leap Frog pad that kept repeating "Human Skeleton, Human Skeleton." Okay, creepy enough. I turned it off and proceeded to get some water. At that point, I heard a fire truck siren and saw flashing lights. They seemed really close. Holy cow, they were outside our house. And it wasn't alone. There were two other fire trucks, two police cars and an ambulance lining our street. I learned that our neighbor's house was struck by lightning and there was a small fire in the insulation. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

Wow, and to think it could have been us. I actually went to bed last night thinking- of all things - what would I do if there was an emergency and ran through the steps in my head before I fell asleep. These pics are as good as it gets at midnight.

Who wants to start the bidding process?

Jack and a friend from daycare want to raise money for a trampoline and bounce house with balls. Their clever plan is to sell their artwork. So, what will you give for the following priceless pieces? :)

We may have a small copyright issue.

Today's Art Project

I received this crazy nail polish at Christmastime. We had a little fun with it today. Who's my somewhat reluctant hand model?

I'll never tell. :)

Its Rightful Spot

I've read that famous people put their Oscars and other fancy awards in their bathroom. So, here is my lovely award sitting on top its fancy throne. Yeah, I know it pales when compared to an Oscar but the award is made by the same company so it's probably rubbed elbows with the real thing, right?

I'd like to thank...

Here's my Telly Award. Isn't it beautiful! It will probably never get me a super awesome job at the Ellen Show but it's still nice to be recognized by one's peers.

Pucker Up Princess

If this picture doesn't put you in a good mood, I don't know what will.

Weekend In Review

My niece received her First Communion this weekend. I was so excited for Meaghan. I remember how anxious I was to receive this beautiful sacrament. Before my big day, I would ask mom to bring me communion back as I sat in the pew. I was always sad that she never did.

I love my old church. The parishioners gave it an extreme makeover last year. Even though I've attended mass several times since, I'm always a little surprised and in awe when I step through those doors.

Meaghan's big class of six.

Two beautiful girls. Miss Maggie wore her adorable Hello Kitty outfit.

On Saturday, I took the two oldest to the park. We had a great time until Liam fell down and hurt his nose.

Liam did everything Jack did, enjoying the playground equipment for kids ages 5 to 12.

Apparently, the green dinosoar needed some lovin'.

Adorable when he's happy and serious.

And this little guy is over 1.5 months old. That's so hard to believe. Where did my 9.5 months of pregnancy and his first month go? Time is flying by way too fast.

Na-no, Na-no

Take us to your leader. Warning - we are armed with breast pump bottles!

Breast is Best but...

it's so hard. Well, actually the au naturel feeding is fine. It's the pumps that aren't working for me. My sister-in-law let me borrow her manual pump. That was for the birds. Last weekend, I borrowed an electric pump from Jack's birth mom. That's not working so well either. Honestly, I never had an overwhelming desire to breast feed but since I know it's best for baby Matthew, I have been making a good attempt at feeding him at least a little like this everyday. But from the get-go, I couldn't keep up with his demands so we began bottle feeding. Why don't the pumps work for me? Ugh!

Birth Mommies and Falling for Jack's Tricks

We have talked to the boys about their adoptions and birth families from the very beginning. Jack has a keen sense of his birth family. In the past when we've visited Liam's family, Jack will ask with some sadness, "When do we get to see my birth family?" When I picked up the boys tonight, our daycare provider told me that the kids were talking about babies being in bellies. Jack informed his friends that I was Matthew's birth mommy. Isn't that one of the sweetest things you've ever heard? Certainly something I never thought I would hear.


Of course, there is the other side of Jack who tries to "trick" people. Last night, he said, "Look mom. There's a big butt!" as I was driving. I was so tired and partially working on reflexes so of course I looked. "I tricked you!" Jack happily replied. Then he tried to trick me with "There's a big brain." And "There's a big everything." Needless to say, I didn't fall for those.

Fun Random Photos

An old Halloween wig of mine.

Going on a safari ride.

Taming the untameable.

Two cuties.

Enjoying a local favorite: Central Dairy! I think our sundae could have used more cool whip though and maybe a cherry.

Time to get messy!

Looks Just Like Me Right?

Mike at 3 months

 Me at the hospital. Unfortunately, they didn't clean me up before they took this picture.

Matthew James. Everyone says he looks just like Mike. Apparently, I was just the incubator. I think he has my nose though and maybe my ears.

Weekend in Review

We had a wonderful Easter weekend with family. On Saturday, we visited Liam's birth family. They hosted an egg hunt for the kiddos. Throughout the weekend, Jack was a little confused and began asking when he could "Trick and Treat" again. 

 

On Sunday, the boys found eggs at our house left by the Easter Bunny. They were in candy heaven.

And then my folks hosted a get-together and another Easter egg hunt.

It was a beautiful day.

Model Meaghan. My niece asked me to take this photo.

All dressed up for the day.

My brother Steve and Matthew.

Bath Time Fun

They love their bubble facial hair.

A Bunch of Monkeys

Group photo!

Hey beautiful!

It's hard to believe that this little guy is more than a week old. Mike and I are debating who he looks like. One thing's for sure, he's going to be pale.  

Introducing Matthew James

Matthew "Gift of God"

We are all doing well, happy to be home and resting after a long day on Friday.