Another fun moment with the kids, NOT!

I had the girls with me as usual and we were at the J. Jill store. Shelby had already completed an interview with a sales lady. Luckily she is a grandma and was not insulted when Shelby asked her if she had any grandchildren? The lady is obviously a "young grandma" because by looks she could have gone either way. As we are waiting in line Morgan starts calling the sales lady behind the counter, "stupid lady". Luckily we were back far enough and with her 2 year old pronunciations, I don't think anyone heard or understood her but I did! And then Shelby the one who doesn't miss anything asks a young sales lady with a big gap between her front teeth, "Did you loose a tooth?" Fortunately she was nice enough to laugh and I don't think she was offended. At birth, parents should be given a button that will open up a piece of the earth so it can swallow them at moments like these!

Kids:Ya Got to Luv 'Em......or

Kids: Ya Got to Luv 'Em or they just might embarrass you to death! Shelby loves to chatter and ask questions. She especially likes to do this to lucky (or not so lucky) sales clerks in stores. Although some, if she is in the mood, get her not so pleasant scowl. Last week we were in Ann Taylor Loft to buy me a dress for upcoming summer weddings. Shelby became well acquainted with sales clerk Megan by playing the game "20 questions". With that purchase I received a coupon that was good starting today. We returned to buy a purse and earrings to go with the new dress. Well Megan was working again today and Shelby doesn't forget much (except the important things). After a lot more chatter she decides to ask her, "What kind of under ware are you wearing today?" I think Megan was so surprised she didn't know what to do except answer her! So of course, what else would Shelby's next question be but, "Can I see them?" Come on kid you are killing me!!!

Out of commission

A friend of mine emailed me and asked if I was going to post anything to this blog? My reply was I warned everyone in my first blog that there might not be very many postings. I have been spending most of my "free time" from the kids napping myself. I have not been feeling so good. This morning I went to the walk in Dr. for the second time in 3 weeks to be treated for poison ivy. I had gotten rid of most of the first breakout but woke up yesterday and could just feel it on the entire left side of my face. By the end of the night my eye was swelling shut. So today he gave me a steroid shot in the arm and another pack of pills for the next week. He also gave me an anitbiotic for a sinus infection. The space below my nose is chapped, cracked and bleeding from blowing it so much. The over the counter meds I was taking for that really wipped me out. So, I have been pretty lazy. The energy I have had I spent reading others' blogs instead of updating my own. So here you go Kimberly - not real exciting but at least an update to what I have been up to!

One Big Party!

Last Saturday we had Shelby's 4th birthday party & Morgan's 2nd birthday party all together. I was worn out after all was said and done! The two of them opening gifts at the same time was just like Christmas morning. I didn't get to write down anything they got as they were going. I barely was able to take pictures and some video. Just like on Christmas, we had to sort through the garbage to find the gifts on the bottom of the pile. I have never seen two people get so excited about what is on a card (if you only knew your gift could have stopped there!) or excited about what the picture is on the outside of the box you packed the gift in. They constantly have to be reminded to keep opening. Their gift is not the Christmas Tree lights that originally came in that box. Funny thing is they get excited thinking it is. Also, to only be 4 again and not care who sees your panties when you disrobe in front of all of your guests to put on that new Minnie Mouse dress you have been dreaming about. And there were firsts that daddy never thought he would see - like their first Barbie Dolls! I think there will be lots more of unbelievable firsts for a daddy who had only 1 brother, all boy cousins but 1 girl and spends a majority of his time with baseball players. But for now we will just keep him clueless - I think that's best for everyone. :)

Introduction to Blog life

I thought I would try this blogging thing out. I have several blogs of others that I check regularly, but always thought I don't have very much excitement in my life that would interest anyone. Some are very regular in their updates and others are not, so I decided there would be no pressure for me to post something everyday or even every week for that matter.



I chose "close to normal" as my blog title because I live in Normal, IL and that is as close to normal as I am going to get! Especially in this season of life as a stay at home mom. :)

It's A ........

My December appointment was when we found out the sex of the baby.  Nate only attended the appointments for the first heartbeat and the ultrasound that would answer that big question.  I remember laying on that table while Dr. Nord was doing his thing.  Finally, he said, "It's a.....GIRL!"  I looked over at Nate and he was sitting there in a slight state of shock.  What I liked about Dr. Nord was he pointed out what told him the baby was a girl.  It wasn't a process of elimination because of what was lacking.  He pointed out 3 white lines that told him it was a girl.  So I went ahead and planned for a girl with no second thoughts of, "what if he was wrong?"  Dr. Nord left the room and Nate finally spoke.  He said, "What am I going to do with a girl?"  I couldn't think of a better Christmas present myself.

Shelby's First Picture

4 Months....

Once I started to "show", I had Nate take my picture the same day I had a doctor's appointment.  If memory serves me right (and the Christmas decorations in the picture), December was the first picture.  That put me at 4 months.  No longer have any idea the number of weeks that was.