Life’s A Picnic

These aren’t the greatest pics but I thought it represented what our lunch was like today, post-Wiggleworms. Just try having a picnic lunch and getting these girls to sit and eat nicely. They stole each other’s food, went running in all directions, and wanted to trample the rose bushes. Sigh. Not exactly the most relaxing but they had a ball, I’m sure…

Thank Heaven For Little Girls

So, it’s official, turns out we are having another little girl!! I had a feeling…call it instinct, whatever, but I just knew it would be a girl. We brought Charlie with us to the ultrasound appointment…I knew that if Vann was there and she got squirrely he could just take her out of the room. She watched the tv screen at first, but didn’t comprehend the “baby” being displayed on it. She was more interested in the fact that Mommy was laying on what appeared to be a “bed” and kept waving at me and saying, “Hi, Mommy!”

I honestly haven’t even had a chance to process the news…shortly after the appointment we had to rush through lunch so Vann could get back to work…but of course we are thrilled. I think what will be interesting is expecting just another Charlie, when in fact, this baby will be dramatically different than she was/is.

And yes, I’ve heard it a bunch today…yes, we do have baby girl clothes so this little one will not go naked…but you can’t fault a Mommy for being excited to purchase a few new things for this dramatically different little girl. After all, Charlie was born at the end of the summer, when it was still warm and breezy in Chicago, and Baby #2 will be born in the dead of Winter…a “Turkey” Baby, as I like to call her.

On our way out of the beautiful, new, glitzy Prentice Women’s Hospital (keep in mind we delivered Charlie at the old hospital and didn’t have an Argo Tea downstairs and a flat screen in our room), Vann went to change Charlie’s diaper and I wandered into the fantastic lobby flower shop. I admit, I am a BIG sucker for Fall/Winter scented candles and even though I swore I wouldn’t buy any yet, I happened upon one called “Farmer’s Market” and had to bring it home with me. It smells like all the Fall things I adore: freshly fallen leaves, pumpkins, a cool, crisp breeze in the air, and the scents of the holidays. I know that when I burn that candle in September I will think of the day that I found out I would be a Momma of two little girls.

Happy Monday

This morning we had storytime at our local library. It was really fun, and even though Charlie was a bit timid, she smiled and let the other little girls pet her pink penguin. She even let one girl hold it, which I was shocked by!! The librarian had her work cut out for her…it’s not easy getting 20 toddlers to focus, and they were a rowdy bunch, but fun nonetheless.

I had a couple moms stop me to ask where I got Charlie’s “too cute” pants and ask if they were Matilda Jane…LOVE the fact that other moms know MJ, but no, I told them, they came from Etsy.com. She also got to wear her new (bought on sale, mind you) Lelli Kelly’s. We noticed that her toes were poking through her beloved See Kai Run’s yesterday, and in the Goodwill pile they went. They are unfortunately too trashed to give to anyone…Charlie was super hard on them, so we got our money’s worth!!

After naps today we are headed downtown for my 20 week check-up (ahem, weigh-in) and no, I won’t be sharing that info with you all. However, tomorrow is our big 20 week ultrasound and we will be sharing the gender of the baby, so stay tuned for that wonderful news!! Many people have asked me what I “think” I’m having…truth be told, my mother’s instinct says girl…but we shall see. How is Vann going to feel if he’s living in a house with 5 girls, including the cats?? He definitely reserves the right to pick out a male dog, after we’ve moved and are settled in. Yes, honey, I will give you that. 😉

Yesterday, Vann and I were talking about the things we will need for baby and discussing double strollers, diapers, a new carseat (since we sold the one Charlie used, too heavy)…hopefully all of these things we can start on this Fall. Exciting stuff!!

Lazy Sunday

Ohmygoodness…these pictures just crack me up! We didn’t make it to church on Sunday (we’ll probably have spotty attendance until Vann gets out of school) and were really wanting a lazy morning, but we did rally for a late brunch at one of our favorite’s, Wishbone. Nothing like some crabcakes doused in hollandaise sauce to start your day!!

These pictures are of Charlie waiting for a table. She was so busy and would not sit still. Please ignore the cheesestick bits in her mouth, apparently she is lacking in the manners department as well…

Emi Sue Comes to Play

Vann and I had our first real foray into the world of two yesterday. Emilyn came to play and “sleep over” (while her Mommy and Daddy treated themselves to an awesome anniversary dinner!) and it was quite the experience. You couldn’t ask for a sweeter little girl than Emi Sue, and she and Charlie love spending time together, so that part of it was perfect…but we had never done the bathtime/bedtime routine for two at the same time (and of the same age) and now I have a whole new respect for my Mom friends who do it every day!!

Between all the screaming, running around, spaghetti-covered faces and hands, splashing in the tub, and general mischief-making, Vann and I dropped at 8 pm. I should say that we always LOVE having Emi over, and it was a ball, but man, two is just a whole new ballgame. GREAT practice for what’s to come…and watching Vann have a dance party with the girls…the chorus of giggles…was really a sweet sound to end our evening.

Here are some pics of Charlie and Emilyn outside…