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Happy Fall!

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Our first Day of Fall didn't feel like fall at all.  It was very warm, and we spent the day at the baseball fields, first for team photos then Matthew's tball game.  I actually got sunburn!  Then that evening we went to Sweet Frog for Ice Cream.  A very Summer like day for us.





With the arrival of Fall we are settling into our new routine.  Matthew is in school all day during the week, we have evening activities, and I have classes and play dates with Lilly.  Things are more busy than they have ever been, but I am enjoying it.  I have always looked forward to this time in my kids life, where I become more of a taxi driver.  I am looking forward to all that fall has to offer, the pumpkin patches, cooler days and chilly nights, preparing more for the arrival of Joshua, and the holidays.

 


 

A New Love In My Life

.....my mini-van.  We knew once getting pregnant that my tiny Hyundai Accent would no longer fit our growing family.  My husband wanted a big SUV.  I did not.  I eventually want to switch back to an SUV but with a 5 year old (who just learned to buckle and unbuckle himself, and a three year old who cannot unbuckle herself, that me climbing in the back would get annoying fast.

We looked and compared vans, when we started it was between the Toyota Sienna, Kia Sedona, and the Honda Oddessey.  We ruled out the Sedona pretty quick, we have a Kia Sorento that we LOVE so thought we would research it, but right away knew it wasn't for us.  I thought the Sienna was what I wanted but couldn't pass up the deal we got on the Oddessey.

We have only had it for about a month, but already know what I love and dislike about it.

Loves:
1.The automatic sliding rear doors.  I mean it is fantastic.  
2. I love that it seats 8 if needed.  I thought I didn't want that because I had it in my head that the 8th seat wouldn't be able to hold an 80lb person, but I was wrong, there is plenty of space between the carseats for grandma!
3.  I love all the space.  It is such a difference from my small car.  It is great.
4.  The back seat windows have sunshades built in.  So no buying the ones from the store that you have to stick to the window, these slide up and hook in, or you can slide them down and not use them.

Dislikes:
1.  I don't like that their isn't any room for storage under the seats.  I was looking forward to using bins to organize under each middle seat, but that just won't work.
2.  I don't like that when I have a stroller in the back (which is always) their isn't much trunk space.  I have some space for an organization bin, but that is about it.  No room for groceries.




Below are photos of how and what I am organizing in my van so far.  

1. Glove Box.  I have all the car information, a first aid kit with all the essentials, and I have my IPhone charger.  





2. Center Console.  This is my mommy bin.  I have deodorant, lotion, a hairbrush and hair ties, mints, wet ones.  The kids DVD players and cords are also stored in here (we only pull them out for long road trips, but it is nice keeping them in the car, just in case!)


3.  Between the kids.  Right now I have a bin that I purchased from The Container Store, it has some books, dvds, small toys.  It is great while sitting at the kiss and ride at my sons school.  My daughter sits and reads books instead of whining that it is taking too long.

4.  Under the Passenger Seat.  I have two containers....like I said earlier there isn't much space, and these slide around a lot (need to find a solution to that).  Anyway, 1 holds drinks (water bottles, and juice) and the other has snacks (things that won't go bad in the car, goldfish, vanilla wafers, granola bars, lollipops)  These have already come in very handy for when I forget something.  **The other day I had to make an unexpected trip to the Dr.  and dropped my kids off at Daddy's work, I didn't have any food on me, so this was a lifesaver.


5.  Trunk.  I have a picnic blanket, I love that it zips up neatly (similar), Stroller (Baby Trend Expedition), Grocery Bags, a bin that holds a change of clothes and a jacket for each child, a jacket for me, and sunscreen/bug spray.  Matthew's baseball bag.  On the side is the portable potty (this is a must have item for me!), bags, changing pad, wipes, and garbage bags.

I am sure the organizational needs will change with what season it is, and once the baby is here, but for now I am happy with it.  I really want to add a label maker in there, but am afraid of what my husband will say....I just always feel like there is something I am forgetting to put a label on, and hate doing it with marker.


 

Carmel Fruit Dip

Carmel Fruit Dip
This is such a quick, easy dip to throw together.  The recipe is from a Taste of Home magazine.

2 - 8oz packages of cream cheese (I let mine sit out to soften)
1 Cup of Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup of Carmel Ice Cream topping

Simply mix the cream cheese and brown sugar then once smooth mix in the Carmel.  Serve with fruit.


 

Closet Update

I knew once getting pregnant that I wanted to add more storage options in the kids closet. Since one kid bedroom is bigger than the other, we knew before the sex was determined that the bigger bedroom would have the baby and sibling that matched genders. So we were able to redo the closet before we found out the sex, then added the bins once knowing pink or blue. I am so happy with how it turned out.

 I don't have before pics, but we tore out everything and started with a completely empty space.

Here is the finished product.
The top will have all of Joshua's clothing.  Also above is a shelf (that is hard to reach) that has blankets and extra sheets.

All the bins are JJ Cole Collection found online at babiesrus.com 

The bottom hanging sections are for Matthew.  I love that he can now reach his own clothing, because he dresses himself, but still needed my help to get the clothes down.  Under the clothes on this side is a hamper. 
The other side has more clothes, and a bin that I put clothes that are too small in.  Once I realize something is too small, I wash it, then when putting clothes away it goes into the bin.  Once the bin is full I label it and it gets sent to the attic. 
The small bins have receiving blankets, baby shoes, toys, and anything else that I have started stocking up on.  Right now there are also bottles, monitors and toys stored as well, but those things will find new homes closer to baby's arrival.

It is pretty cool that I started with the drawing below, and my wonderful husband made it into exactly what I wanted!



 

Off to School.

Today we hit a big milestone in my son's life.  Kindergarten.  Today was his first day, and he has been excited for weeks.  I can't wait to pick him up to hear all about it.  I was a little emotional, but not around him, because I didn't want to ruin his great attitude toward school.  I cried walking back to my car under my oversized sunglasses, as my 3 year old said she missed her brother. 







Alright, looking at the photos is making me tear up again......
 

21 Weeks

 
Twenty One Weeks!
 

Size: The Length of a Carrot

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Not sure, I go to the doctor on Friday so I will know then.

Maternity Clothes: Yes, but so ready for the cooler weather so I can wear the new things I have been buying

Gender: It's a BOY!

Movement: so much more this week, which is awesome.

Sleep: pretty good right now....knock on wood.

Cravings: Not too much, but I have been eating a big bowl of cereal almost every night.

Aversions:
Not really. 

Symptoms:  Traveling far distances is beginning to take a toll on my body.  My kids took a "vacation" to their grandparents house, and getting them there and back was so hard on my body.  I have 1 more trip to PA in October, than I am staying put.

What I Miss: Nothing right now.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  Friday is another appointment, which I always look forward to.  Non-baby related, school starts this week, and we transition into our Fall routine.

Best Moment This Week: This past weekend my kids were away, and my husband and I had a wonderful weekend.  We went to a wedding (from the pic above), dinners out, baby shopping, and we got a lot of the around the house to-do's done.  

Thoughts: Now that I know the gender I am feeling great.  I think I "popped" over the weekend also.  I am looking forward to our schedule change, and moving into fall.