current 5 favorites.

I have been trying new recipes, and I let the kids help me. Our newest favorite is these Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies that my friend Emily posted. Even if you don't put the right amount of peanut butter in them, because little ones are helping...they are still amazing.

It is our last month of our Thanksgiving Point pass, and although we didn't use it as much as I would have hoped...it is still a favorite place to go for the kids. I took all 3 kids to the farm, and they still enjoy it even though we have done it before.

Saying that Savannah is addicted to the Olympics would be an understatement. During the opening ceremonies we did a craft, and made flags with our favorite athletes on them. She has enjoyed trying to be a gymnast, and both kids have practiced diving in the pool.

When we went on our last big shopping spree at The Dub for everything I ever wanted, or thought I may want, we let the kids pick out a few things too. Savannah picked out a movie, pink 3D glasses for our TV, and a really cool night light. Devin couldn't get over this "chiiicken"...and so we are now proud owners of this rooster who sits in our kitchen.

This girl has started to smile...lots. Never gets old.

What is in your top 5?

heck yes.

Today would have been my first day back from maternity leave at The Dub.

Instead of getting ready for work, I took dinner to the neighbors who just had a baby girl too.

When the time rolled around when I usually would have been leaving for work, I was loading the family in the car to go to Tae Kwon Do instead.

When I usually would have been walking to the break room at work to get a snack, I was walking around Harmon's getting food with my family.

When I would have been answering phone calls at work, I was dishing out dinner...and sitting around the table talking about our day as we ate.

Around the time I would have started working on reports, I was rocking our sweet baby to sleep.

About the time I would be punching out, and driving home...I folded laundry, watched Olympics, and checked my email.

Everything was ordinary, but it all felt so good.

Again, thank you Kenna for all these amazing images...so in love with my kiddies.

breakfast at the park.

The only way to do the park in the Summer is in the morning, still in your pj's. Ya know, before the heat isn't unbearable. Bring your breakfast, and enjoy watching your kids be the only two there.

Savannah has accomplished the monkey bars, and learning to "pump" herself on the swings this Summer. Proud.

Devin has accomplished being Savannah's shadow, and his Mom will not let him attempt the monkey bars yet.

Sabrina has accomplished sleeping through all the park experiences in the pouch, and looks adorable doing so.

no complaints.

Every time I sit down to write about how hard it is to have 2 kids so close together, I always end up stopping myself...

I am grateful for what I have, even if some days all I do is change poopy diapers, rock little people to sleep, and clean up. I may go a little crazy doing so, but there is nothing I would rather be doing.

I love having 3 kids, even if I am still not confident leaving the house with all of them by myself.

I am glad that Devin is such an entertainer, because he makes me laugh a. lot.

I am blessed to have a daughter that likes to be Mommy. It sometimes drives me nuts, but she helps me tremendously.

Someone was watching out for me, because I finally got a very sleepy baby...I can't imagine how much harder it could have been. Thank you Sabrina for being a little gem.

I joke that my arms are never empty, if this is my biggest complaint...I have it pretty easy.

I saw someone this week that I hadn't seen since we thought we lost Sabrina. He commented on how I have never looked happier than I do right now. It made me realize what a funk I have been in for such a long time.

I would feel ungrateful if I sat down and decided to post anything other than how awesome my life is.

I am a well taken care of lady.

sabrina | newborn pictures

I have so many awesome friends that are photographers. All of them are unique and different, but I love them all.

This go around I am trying to take better pictures in general of Sabrina, and the nicer camera is helping. But I have decided sometimes you just need to let the professionals do what they are good at, and take the pictures you want to hang on the wall.

I told you guys already that I love the candid, not overly posed photography. I also love the pictures I had taken just on my bed, in my own home with Devin as a newborn. So, I decided that I would do that again with Sabrina.

Kenna of Kenna Grace Photography came to our house to capture my littles this time.

Sabrina was just in a onsie. Devin was in pajamas, and had been eating cookies all morning {pretty sure he had chocolate all over his face}. Savannah was still in her pajamas, and hadn't even combed her hair yet. It was perfect.

I feel like the morning of pictures is like running a marathon, and you just hope you finish strong. When you have someone come to your house, it is so chill...I love it. Nothing like a marathon at all.

Devin tends to take a little time warming up to people, except when he is home {just ask Sam Jo about it!}. He was doing "hands-up, stands-up" for Kenna, and was trying to help the entire time. It is definitely the way to photograph our little Dev.

I love what Kenna captured of these little people of mine, and seriously you can never have too many pictures...can you!?

PS Kenna is moving to Ohio in just a few short weeks. If you want to have a session with her...hurry up and book it before it is too late.

Disclosure: I was not compensated to write this post, I just love that I have such a talented friend.

saying goodbye...officially.

Someone pinch me, I have to be dreaming.

I walked in to the place I have worked for the past 15 years yesterday, and quit.

I always hoped it would someday be my turn to stay at home with my children. I dreamed it would all work out for us, but I am not sure I ever believed it would. Good thing Paul always believes.

Yesterday my dream became a reality.

I walked out of that building a free woman, feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. I came home, and told Savannah I never had to go to work again...and she jumped up and down. When I was putting Sabrina to bed last night, I was excited thinking I wouldn't miss her bed time Monday through Friday like I did with the other two. I can't count how many times I told Paul thank you for making my dreams come true...that guy of mine is a keeper.

That place I went to for the past 15 years had a lot of memories, a lot of inside jokes, and more drama than I would like to admit.

I made a lot of really good friends, including my BFF. These people came to my wedding, visited me at the hospital when I had babies, helped us move, and delivered furniture when I bought it. We have gone on double dates with my coworkers and their spouses...and they have become my friends too. I have watched people quit, and have been sad when I have lost touch.

What it all comes down to is, I have more good to say than bad about this place I worked half my life at. I was able to support my little family when we were dead broke, and my house is filled with beautiful furniture I was able to buy because of my benefits.

I don't think that people thought I would ever quit...good thing I was able to prove them wrong. This new gig I started today is better than anything I have ever done.

comparing.

Sometimes when I look down at Sabrina, I swear I see Devin...except she has the blonde hair of Savannah. When the babies were napping and Savannah was with Paul, I decided to pull out some old pictures to compare. {Man, I love looking at old pictures.} When Paul saw a few we both agree that Devin and Bri could be twins.
I wish I had all of my Savannah pictures scanned in my computer, but I do not...gotta love the good old film days. Trust me, she looks just like the the other two though. I definitely have some cute cookie cutter kids.

planning a high tea party.

Savannah and I decided it would be fun to have a fancy tea party! I am excited to show you some of the little details that are going to make this party fabulous.

Hats, lots of hats.

Aren't these fabulous? Every girl will feel fancy in one of these hats. Savannah put her stamp of approval on them, and definitely make her feel fancy.

A tea set.

Savannah is finally old enough to take care of something nicer...and something NOT plastic. I know she feels fancy using nice dishes that are just for special occassions.

Food.

Because my friends are awesome at this, I can just copy a few of the finger foods they have already done. My favorite ideas are Emily's chicken salad finger sandwiches {who doesn't love a little sandwich without the crust on it!}, and I thought Vanessa had a great list of fun little finger foods too!

Dessert will be easy. Cadbury Ice Cream Bars.

Savannah and Von tested, and totally approved. Small, delicious, and come in different flavors. The chocolate these little babies are dipped in is heavenly. Trust me.

Decorations.

Since it is going be fancy we decided to use nice linens on the table. Tie big ribbon on the backs of the chairs, and of course we will be in our fanciest dresses...insert princess dress ups here! :)

What am I missing? Got any suggestions on having the best high tea party around?

Disclosure: Thanks to #MommyParties, MomSelect, and Blue Bunny for letting me throw a fancy #CadburyHighTea party...it has been fun for Savannah and I to plan while the babies are asleep. All opinions are my own, yo.

testing, testing, 1, 2, 3

I finally ran out of space on blogger to upload pictures. I wondered how long it was going to take for that to happen. I loaded pictures to Flickr, and was going to plug the HTML in to my posts. Long story short, that was too much work...I am a lazy blogger.

So, now that I have this issue all resolved, more baby Bina pictures coming...as requested. :)

Happy weekend folks.

Loves.

my busy days.

Somedays this is all I have time to post, because certain littles need me...and clearly I need a shower.

learning.

My top 5 favorite things I have learned since being at home...

I can make a better cherry lime rickey than you can buy at Artic Circle. It took a few sub par drinks from the gas station before I got perfection. Totally worth it.

I have had a chocolate chip cookie recipe that I received on a gift from my bridal shower. I finally have gotten use out of it. Yes, that is 13+ years of it sitting on my shelf. Those cookies have hit the spot a lot lately, and the kids like helping.

I can get 3 kids to bed by myself...including a separate bath for all of them. {high five} Paul has been working a lot of nights, and that has left me to figure it out on my own. It is easier with Paul home, but I can rock it solo.

It is okay if I let the cleaning go sometimes. Sleep is more important, and so is my family.

Remembering to say yes when the kids have heard no all day. The kids played in the pouring rain today, even though I wanted to say no. I knew they would have a funky smell afterwards {my weird pet peeve}, but I said yes...and both of them were thrilled.

I have a lot to learn still, but it is definitely coming slowly.

repeat.

remember this...

{39 weeks with devin}

we had to do again...

{40 weeks with sabrina}

oooh-weee, I got big.

crazy thoughts during late night feedings.

It is no secret that Bri is our last baby.

Both Paul and I feel good about this decision, and when she arrived...I felt that feeling of our family being complete.

It is also well known, I have a hard time being pregnant. So it was really easy to say that she was going to be our last when I was pregnant, because I was feeling miserable.

The other night somewhere between the 12 something AM feeding and the 3 something AM feeding...I started to feel sad that this was our last baby, and I wondered if I was making the right decision.

In those wee hours of the morning when the house was quiet, and I was rocking Bri in her pink and yellow owl nursery I was thinking...

When she outgrows clothes, I won't save them in my basement hoping to pass them down to another little one.

I will have to cherish all those milestones a little more, because we won't have another baby to enjoy them with.

When I finally started giving Bri baths, and washed all of that new baby smell off...I got a little sad. That is the best smell ever, and I was hoping it would last a little longer.

After I got a little emotional, I went back to sleep...and I woke up and came to my senses.

3 kids is definitely enough crazy.

I am totally blaming most of my crazy thoughts on my lack of sleep...

enjoying each other.

I decided I wanted to spruce up the flower beds, and it was a fun project for us all to do. Savannah really got excited about color coordination, and Devin loved digging the big holes. I normally plant flowers, but we decided that it would be fun this year to do some seeds as well. The package said that the seeds take about 4-6 weeks to grow. It turned out that is exactly when baby sister was estimated to arrive...we thought it would be the perfect way to countdown to her. When we had flowers, we knew she would be close.

We have chased down the ice cream truck, and been unsuccessful...and Mommy saved the day by having cones and ice cream waiting at home instead.

I bought squirt guns, and it didn't take long for Devin to figure out how to use it. We even decided they are a fun toy in the bathtub, even though the bathroom rug and everything else got soaked.

We have gotten lots of use out of one of Devin's Easter toys...and have been spending loads of time out in the sunshine. It doesn't matter how long we spend outside, those two kids are never ready to come in. I have to bribe them with treats. Savannah taught Devin how to use the slip 'n' slide, and man I got a lot of really good belly laughs in. I have completely given up on clothes for Devin, between swimming to peeing in the toilet, it is much easier to let him run in a diaper.

The kids have been spoiled most every night with Paul...he has been on a kick of taking them to the play ground to get all their energy out. They still wake up way to early, but Savannah is the ultimate big sister...she takes Devin downstairs and gets them both breakfast until I can fully function. It is tender, and I love her for helping me so much.

I have learned so much about myself, and every day I wake up determined to be a better Mom, Wife, and person than the day before. Some days I fail miserably, but I realize I am a work in progress.

a date with my girl.

{at the movie theater}

We got to attend the premiere of Brave for our date.

{Can I just say that the movie was not what I was expecting?! I guess I didn't see enough of the previews.}

When I asked Savannah what she wanted for dinner, the answer was popcorn. Easy enough.

I let Savannah pick the music in the car, but all she really wanted to do was talk.

This particular week she had a few rough days. It had something to do with a kid at the play ground teasing her about her teeth. She was able to stand up for herself, but it left her feeling even more insecure than she already has been about those darn teeth.

This little date is just what she was needing.

Savannah really is so fun to be around, and definitely is growing up way too fast.

a date with my boy.

{his absolute favorite ride at Wally World, he asks for Pumba every trip!}

We knew it would take some adjusting adding a baby, and overall I think we have all done a pretty good job. Savannah is a huge help, and loves to play Mommy. Devin is probably the cutest to watch with his little sister...he will get in her face and say "Hey Babe!". It is really adorable!

As much as Devin loves her, we have noticed little changes in him. He wants to sleep with me at night, and he is struggling to fall asleep. Paul decided that it was time to take action before it got all sorts of out of control.

I took Devin on a little date...just the two of us.
Paul braved the girls at home, and we just hoped Bri wouldn't get hungry while I was gone. :)

I could tell right away that it was what he needed and wanted. He asked me if I could hold him, and I did the entire time {gosh, he is a big kid!!}. When I would ask him if he wanted to walk...he would quickly say "No, hold you!". 

We went and played cranes, because that kid can't get enough of those. We went and bought a new bubble machine, and those bubbles were gone in less than hour of being home. We stopped and got him treats at the gas station...he begged for a Coke, and popcorn.

We both came home tired, and he went right to sleep for a nap.

I am learning how to juggle 3 kids, and this is definitely my first lesson...everyone needs alone time. It doesn't have to be something extravagent, but I need to remember that they all want my undivided attention...and this includes my husband.

my phone died...

and then I lived.

I haven't had a phone since shortly after Bri was born. Yes, it feels weird, and I am really sad that I lost a lot of cute pictures from her birth that they can't retrieve {people remember to back that stuff up!}.

BUT. but. But...

I love not having a phone. I even told Paul that he didn't have to buy me a new one. Gasp!

I spend 100% of my attention on the kids, Paul, friends, baking, cleaning...yada, yada, yada.  It is really phenomenal. I love it.

I don't get emails to my phone that I would normally get distracted by. I play all of those silly games, and have been known to start and accidentally play through Devin's entire nap...not anymore!

It felt like the worst timing ever when it broke, and now I am thanking my lucky stars it happened when it did...

I have enjoyed the quiet, and I definitely needed more of it.

So, if you have sent me a text or tried to call me, I am not ignoring you...I just don't have a phone anymore. :)

AND seriously...these two are keeping me pretty busy!

my labor of love.

I spent 3 weeks contracting, my body having commitment issues with labor. It was emotionally exhausting. Every week the Dr was always shocked that I made it to another appointment, and every week I was disappointed. I walked around dilated to a 5, wondering when it was going to be the end. My due date came and went, and I just knew she was going to be stuck in me forever...{yes, pregnant women are dramatic like this!}

I picked up BFF in the morning, I had been contracting like normal. I hadn't noticed how close or how long the contractions had been, because I had lost all hope at this point...thinking my body was never going to actually go into labor on its own. We headed to the hospital hoping for good news, and good news is exactly what I got.

Contractions 5-8 minutes apart, and I was in no real pain at all.

I had plans for a natural birth, and had Sharon {a doula} from A Mother's Way scheduled to attend Bri's birth as my primary coach. I sent her a quick text around 10ish to tell her I was at the hospital, and she said she was going to be on her way soon. I still hadn't made any progress from what I had been the past 3 weeks.

BFF and I enjoyed chatting, going on a walk, and taking pictures. It still didn't feel real.

I talked to Paul and he said he would be to the hospital to take BFF's place, and give the kids to her between Noon and 1 PM. It ended up being closer to 1 when he got there. Sharon had arrived, my water had been broken, I was having some strong contractions, and I was feeling really good.

Paul has never loved anything about child birth {I don't blame him!}. When I discussed having a natural labor and delivery with him, he was my number one support. When I would doubt myself, he would tell me that I could do it. What I found most shocking though...Paul totally stepped up in the delivery room, and was a total rockstar birth coach! With a little direction from Sharon, he was taking his turn pushing pressure points during contractions and was right there with me. It made me fall in love with him all over again, because I knew it was completely out of his comfort zone...and yet he was being so supportive.

The next two hours were a blur.

It was hard. It was painful. I cried big ugly tears.

When I started to dry heave and got the violent shakes, I lost it.

I remember looking up at Paul, and telling him I couldn't do it anymore...and I felt sad that I had let everyone down.

I begged for an epidural.

Sharon encouraged me, and told me I could do it...but I lost faith in myself.

The anesthesiologist came in, and while he was in middle of giving me drugs...I could tell she was coming.

10 minutes later, 5 or so pushes, 3:09 PM...Sabrina arrived looking like a mix of her older sister and brother.

Even though I was disappointed in myself that I didn't just hold out for 10 more minutes, this is the delivery I am most proud of. Bri is our last baby, and I got to experience so many things I had never done before.

And no matter how it all happened, in the end we still got a beautiful baby girl in our family...and we are all madly in love.

PS I can't thank Paul, Sharon, and my BFF enough! They made this experience awesome, and I feel blessed to have had such an amazing support to be with me through it all.

a special night.

When we knew baby was going to be here within days, and all the signs of labor were looming...Paul planned a special family date night.

We started with arcade games, then headed to PF Chang for dinner, and ended our date night at the Disney store picking out new toys for the kids.

While we were at dinner we toasted our Dr Pepper, Coke, and Root Beers to our new baby. Then a certain adult spilled a drink, and we totally blamed it on Devin.

The kids were wild and crazy the entire car ride home, and Paul and I were wondering how Bri was going to fit in to all of this.

We have decided that we are officially old, and climbed into bed to watch a movie to end the night...I think I made it 3/4 of the way through it, and fell asleep.