Quick Check in + Beach Pics

I think everyone is getting consumed with finalizing the start of fall schedules and school related activities, at least for us. A quick weekend getaway with my best girls (and my littlest girls) was just what the doctor ordered. I taped up my wounds with a dozen water resistant patches and bandaids and we went to the beach despite a rainy forecast. The weather was wonderful. 

While we were gone No. 1 and Turtle had a super fun filled weekend...which also included No. 1 playing and breaking two fingers on her left hand. Someone was obviously jealous of all the time Mom and Dad (two stress fractures) have spent with orthopedics this year. We had a temporary cast for a week until we could see the doctor. I'm absolutely sure with the way the physicians assistant, resident and orthopedic were enamored with No. 1's personality that she was a highlight of their day Monday. We opted for a cast for two weeks which had to be red and glitter. She could have worn a splint but they said she would have to be diligent about keeping it on. Naturally, the cast was the better option. 

Xoxo

The Housewife 

Friday Five [ In Pictures ]

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No. 1 and Turtle at a Birthday party 

Disturbing the peace at the library 

My beloved black ceiling in my front room

Lake Days with Grandpa and Grammie 

Fleeting moments of sisterly love 

How is your summer going? I feel like it's going by too fast, that it's going to be gone before I know it. We're planning a fun weekend trip and I have a girls trip or two (one with the twins) which should be loads of fun. Summer mantra: I will have fun. I will have fun. :) 

Five on Saturday

1. We're having Kid Free Weekend 2014 this weekend. We were going to plan a trip but honestly we have so many things around the house that need to be done, that never get done, we decided to stay. We need to move No. 1 to a new room so we can separate the twins. We are doing some painting and cleaning some things out as well. 

2. I've discussed my cubital tunnel with my physical therapist some more and at this point she is not sure how much more she can help me without the surgery. Sigh. My follow up with the doctor is on July 2nd, and I will probably try to schedule surgery ASAP. My baby sitter whom I love is back home from college and if I can get in soon she can help me during the tough weeks. My PT does think I will recover quickly so fingers crossed. I'd rather give birth again. 

3. I painted my sitting room ceiling black and I LOVE it. I used Sherwin Williams Black Magic and it looks wonderful. Get it in flat finish. I'm painting the walls white and the room has some good crown molding. When I say that I painted it, I mean my sweet husband painted it. 

4. The Single Gal has been reading Nasty Gal's book #GIRLBOSS. She says it's a great read about how she started out and it's definitely going on my to-read list.

Okay, so maybe just four today. Hopefully I will have some pictures for you next week. The Single Gal and Em took off for a weekend in Savannah with Little A. I miss them dearly and wish I could have gone. There's always next time.

Going to enjoy some relaxing Saturday morning coffee....alone!!!

The Housewife 

Monday Obsessions: Housewife Edition

This is really an embarrassing confession to make on the internet but after having three kids and being in various states of weight gain/loss and nursing, etc it has been about four years since I bought a bra. It's horrible! I just walk around in a constant state of one or both straps falling down because I actually think they still have some elasticity left. As I was ordering my yearly swimsuit from Victoria's Secret, I decided to purchase two t-shirt bras. I really like them. I'm not sure that will mean much to anyone since I told you I haven't bought a new bra in four years. 

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My new best friend, besides cheap red wine, is talenti gelato. Run, don't walk, to a frozen novelties aisle in your neighborhood grocery store. Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip is my current favorite. The Single Gal and I are simply working through all of their wonderful flavors, because why not?

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I'm living in my J Crew Factory Denim Roll Up shorts these days. Hence, the t-shirt bra purchase. My new summer uniform. I'm considering getting another pair, probably in a darker wash. 

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In other news, I've been dealing with some nerve problems in my right hand/arm. I am right handed and  after visiting with the orthopedist too many times (my time not that they weren't quick with a diagnosis) it was determined I suffer from Cubital Tunnel. The ulnar nerve is cramped somewhere and it causes my pinky and ring fingers to go numb/tingle and I have pain in my wrist, elbow and above my elbow. I have spent 6 weeks doing physical therapy (dragging ALL the kids with me to therapy!) and it has helped. But now three weeks without therapy my symptoms are returning. I'm going back to physical therapy but I'm afraid I will eventually have to have surgery. We all know I'm not scheduling surgery before I go to the beach in September or before Single Gal's wedding. I'm not nearly in good enough shape. Think some good thoughts for my follow up with the orthopedic the first week in July as big decisions could be made. Who is going to take care of the rug rats?!? Seriously. 

I'm out. 

XOXO

The Housewife

Scenes from Our Week

We bought a new dishwasher almost two weeks ago. Our current appliances are probably original to the house, which is around 10 or 11 years old. They are older , black GE models. We blew it out and got a Bosch. They don't have a heating element. Obviously in accordance with Newton's Law, our microwave range broke seven days after our dishwasher purchase. You can see the empty space behind No. 1. 

I was able to help out with No. 1's Easter party at school this week. We did a short egg hunt on the play ground, some crafts and a snack. My child explained, "You should work harder hiding the eggs next time." She loves a challenge. 

We spent the afternoon at my Mom's on Saturday. A rare side by side shot of the twins. They are 17 months old. They are both cutting the top and bottom canine teeth and it's been about 10 days of hell. Cranky and clingy to the max. The only benefit of whatever they are going through is that they have been day sleeping a lot. 

I'm counting down the weeks until they come to level our yard and sod it. We had all those trees taken down and now it just dirt, some grass and ant hills. I hate all the ants. I'm terrified of one of the kids getting into a big mound. New mission:kill.all.the.ants. Here is No. 1 "cycling." 

I'm just trying to breath deep, eat cleaner and exercise more frequently these days. Ready for summer. Anyone else? 

Xoxo

The Housewife 

Housewife Randoms

I just finished a spin class. I'm tired. I haven't worked out in 6 days (which makes me really rawr) because my van needed an alternator. I got my baby back yesterday. 

There is a correct way to remove Kineseo Tape from your body. Me, I just ripped it off. Note, this could bruise/burst some blood vessels. That's your PSA for the week. 

We have successfully taught Harper how to say Sissie. She will not preform on cue for video yet. By we I mean, the Single Gal and I. 

Turtle is being a dream and told me I could go down to Savannah to see Little A with Single Gal this weekend. Which also means I'm working my house chores like whoa. Putting on my best Housewife act. 

As I'm watching Flea Market Flip re-runs, I don't understand how people pay so much for some things. 

I volunteered in #1's classroom this week. My little buddy. 

The twins love turning the sound machine on and off before bed. They are also loving books right now, which eases my mind since I did not read to them like we did with #1. 

Hope y'all have a good week. Single asked me to make her my favorite Chocolate Chip cookies yesterday. She only took two for 3 Putt. So I'm sure I will devour them today. Looking forward to a kid free weekend. 

xoxo

The Housewife 

Catching Up {housewife edition}

I've been sparse, I know. The Single Gal is always asking me to blog. She's doing a great job due to Unemployment 2014. The last time I blogged this happened: 

#1 snuck out of her room and into my closet with my makeup bag. The end result is basically an entire pot of MAC eyeliner ground into the carpet. Carpet cleaner just spreads it out more. It looks like a tiger has been in there. Now I'm blogging from my phone so I can remain "on watch." 

It was truly a trying day. I was at my limits. We had not been having good days and the bad things were outnumbering the good. #1 tends to have some strong-willed traits so I grabbed a book on my kindle to help me figure some things out. It's really been a great read and I've already seen some improvements. While our days still have some bumps, overall they are much more pleasant and I'm in a much better mood. 

Oh! We had 13 pine trees taken out of our backyard. It's much more of a mess than I had anticipated when I booked this project. We had 6 dead ones that had to come down as they kept falling and one broke in half and fell. We had a nice visitor from the city stop by....apparently you need a permit to take down trees. Totally my bad. But some smiles and a basically finished job just earn you a warning. Now I'm faced with having to get landscape quotes to put more money in the backyard. It's all things we were planning on doing anyway, just not so soon. 

xoxo

The housewife 

Send Help. We might be classified as Environmentalists.

It's unbelievable that Single Gal and I ditched our 17 and 16 year old Honda Accords in the same month. It was a sad day for me. I didn't have mine for as long as Single Gal, but she held some great memories and I loved that old car. I should have taken her picture but I didn't. She is now in the trade-in graveyard where no one will admire her like I did. To see all the great qualities she had. Sigh. We are now the new owners of Nissan Leaf. Yep. A freaking electric car. A car with a plug. 

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Turtle did a lot of number crunching on this. I use the word "owner" loosely because we leased it. Generally, I would never lease a car. Ever. We just paid my van off. BUT....on top of the Federal credit incentives the state of Georgia give you $2500 back in taxes each year ($5000 for the 2 years). It is such a good deal to drive here that they lobbied and changed the law to extinguish the Georgia state tax credits for this car. You have to purchase by March 31st to still be eligible. Between gas and the continuous repairs we were doing yearly on the Accord and the fact that we wanted a safer vehicle when we did have transport a kid in the second vehicle we felt it was a no-brainer. It's not the most attractive thing you can drive. You can only drive it 125 miles round trip before you need to recharge. (I think. Don't quote me because this is Turtle's deal.) 

Turtle took #1 out of town in the van and left me with this thing. As in, he signed the papers the night before and then left town. It's cool and really weird at the same time. The Single Gal and I survived our across town trip in it. I was worried I would have to ask my Dad if I could plug in my car. It's akin to a really important cell phone. We have free roadside assistance for two years in case it runs out of charge, which is the lifetime we will own the vehicle anyway. Georgia is the number one seller of Leaf vehicles because of the tax credits. I can only thank the local news for doing a story on it to enlighten me. Otherwise, I never would have known. Turtle can plug it in at work and we plug it in the regular garage outlet at night. It's essentially our new science project. The Single Gal and I are referring to it as The Delorian. All in all, I think I wear too much makeup to be classified as a hippie. 

xoxo

The Housewife

2014 Goals

I really liked whomever decided not to make concrete resolutions and use a word/words of the year. Some of these might be just feeling I want to try to emulate on a regular basis in the next year. 

1. relax

I believe (some people may beg to differ) that I am generally a "go with the flow" gal. Now, that doesn't mean I'm always happy, pleasant or truly relaxed about doing it. I get stressed out. I have a large desire and determination to be on time, despite having three little ones. The bottom line is that a three year old has no concept of time and no lack of contradicting requests when getting ready to leave the house. 

2. don't yell 

I think I feel most terrible as a mother when I yell at #1. But truth is my fuse is shorter than others some days and #1 has a propensity to push every button I have on those days. Three year olds are intuitive, what can I say? Don't believe anyone who tells you any differently. I have a hard time figuring out what works for her as far as consequences go, consequences age appropriate for a three year old. I've tried counting, the think about it chair and obviously yelling at her. She is not a "bad" kid and I'm sure the problem is that my expectations are too high. I have a fear of raising entitled little brats. Am I the only one? 

3. read more

I love reading on my Kindle but I bought actual books from the bookstore a few weeks ago. Again, I want #1 to see me reading a book. She doesn't understand that if I'm on a device that I'm reading. I never want the true form of print to disappear either. I did end up crushing through a ton of books in 2013, which was awesome. When the twins were infants I felt like I would never have the time, energy or desire to read again. But I did. Winning. I can't wait for #1 to be old enough for me to read Harry Potter to. Oh, and I need to read to the twins more. Things like that are so much harder with three. 

I still have some more measurable goals for the year too. Be more organized. Be more intentional about planning a dinner menu and sticking to it. Thursday night Pilates/Yoga fusion with the Single Gal. Pray more. More water. Less coffee. But let's be real, more water and same amount of coffee. 

much love in 2014

the housewife 

Pre-Vacation Housewife Nonsense

This post will be complete nonsense, as listed in the title. Feel free to stop reading here. Turtle had to go out of town this week for a few days and doesn't land until oh about 8:30 pm Friday night. The night before we leave for a week long vacation. The night before I have to run 10 miles with the Single Gal BEFORE we leave for vacation. Y'all poor Single Gal had a meet up with some concrete sidewalk on our night run this week. She's a bit pitiful with some scrapped up hands, knees and ankle. I can tell you she trips very gracefully and hopefully no one on the four lane road at 7pm noticed. I mean, they totes probably did but what can we do.

#1 is really taking it to me this week because she's going on almost 30 days without a nap. Please let her nap a few days at the beach! For all that is holy it is my vacation too. This is how it will go though, and I will be seriously pissed because we all know I just can't let it go that she doesn't nap. Even if we wear her ass out sometimes she won't take a nap. Labor Day weekend I took her to the pool to swim and she basically swims without a swimming aid while we are in the pool with/near her. She was so tired she asked me if she could wear her "swimmie." If that punk is asking me to put her swimmie on she is tired. TIRED folks. So I take her home and guess what? No nap. I realize I should be over it by now but I'm not. So y'all get over that. If she would just listen to me more I would be happier. She won't nap, fine. But I don't want to ask her forty thousand times to put her panties on after she gets off the potty.

Can we also talk about her imaginary play? I adore her imaginary play. However, there is a Mommy My Little Pony (a big one) and four small My Little Ponies. Do I even need to tell you what the "Mommy Pony" says to the small ponies? Oh just about everything that comes out of my mouth. I can only hope she's not saying anything the preschool teachers can construe as terrible home life problems.

#1 playing: "Okay little ponies, Mommy pony says you need to eat your dinner. If you don't eat your dinner she will be VERY upset."

On the bright side, the Single Gal and I have solidified our driving arrangements for the beach. Turtle will drive 3 Putt's car with one twin and we will drive the van with #1 and the other twin. The Single Gal better be sure we leave with Garth's Greatest Hits double disc album. Happy, Happy, Happy.

I have a good amount of things to get done between now and Friday night. I'm not sure how it's all going to be done. Turtle already tried to call me this morning and virtually micro-manage the packing and list making. I am an excellent list maker......just maybe not always 100% in executing the list timely. I bring a big game when packing for vacation though. I pack the car/tell Turtle where to put things. I am going to see how light I can pack for everyone. I know the clothes will be few because I have an OCD laundry issue, as in I have to run a load of laundry every day. I can't explain it.

I know nothing will matter when I hear the waves of the ocean, feel the breeze, smell that salt air, put my feet in the sand and visit with our family. Oh and Little A is staying 45 minutes away during the same time so we will get to see her maybe two days as well.

Scenes from Our Week {housewife edition}

Let it be known that today is a highly celebrated day in our lives because College Football starts this weekend! I am fully prepared with matching Alabama outfits for the little people and picking up a new Southern Tide Alabama t-shirt for Turtle. We will be cheering for the Crimson and White on Saturday as well as catching the Georgia v. Clemson game. The great news is that it doesn't matter because there will be games on all.day.long.

Took everyone to the park on Tuesday and we had a "picnic" which #1 was super excited about.

#1 even made a little friend there that morning and they hugged before she left. 

The twins had their first experience on the swings. They both loved it and if you follow me on IG {housewifeblogr} you can see the video I took of Harper.

Bath time! The twins love it and they can't stand not being in the tub when there is water in it. They cry big tears when you take them out. 

XOXO

The Housewife

The SECOND First Day of Preschool

Drum roll please. I hate to admit that finishing this dress was still a scramble up until an hour before we needed to leave, but it is what it is, right? Namely, I had to make three attempts to sew the second button on due to several random thread tangling episodes. I'm just THAT good. Ughhhhh!

The other thing I'm really good at? Deleting pictures off my fancy camera. For some reason I still had all the pictures from last years beach trip on the camera and tons between the Holidays/Moving/etc and actually digging out my camera cord to upload them to the computer. So as #1 was playing I was looking at the camera and I had that "aha" moment where I remembered how you delete all images from the camera. Sadly, I had not done the second upload in which the "first day do-over" pictures also got deleted. I am so awesome. Grammie said the dress looked white but it's a green seersucker jumper, it's just hard to tell with the instagram filter I chose. The twins also have matching jumpers but that would require me being able to make a trip to Joann's to get buttons. That should happen Friday when #1 has her first full 3 hours at school.

I have to be honest the start of preschool has really put me in a funk this year. I feel good about certain things-- knowing what the hell the class project is for, #1 is very comfortable and not having any transitional issues, she has several of her old classmates and our room mom is the same awesome one as last year. Bless her! I guess it just signals the start of fall and I am already feeling overwhelmed. Vacation, #1's birthday party in Oct, twins birthday 3 weeks later, pumpkin patch, Thanksgiving, photo for Christmas cards (!?!)..........it just goes on an on. I know, y'all are like it's not even September don't throw us into Christmas card photos yet!! It just feels like so much. Maybe it's because in what we like to call "the twin fog" in this house, the holidays were just going through the motions (we made it, feed the babies, get the babies to sleep, open presents, eat lots of food, etc).

This post is getting me down already. I know y'all will miss the Single Gal since she is the entertaining one. She was able to text me some this morning because she had wi-fi but I stopped because it kept switching from iMessage to text. Did we tell you about the time she was stuck in Europe and how much her phone bill was from calling me distraught? Good story. So we will celebrate that I do terrible chalkboard art but I got the dress finished and the chalkboard done.

**Single Gal, if you're reading I've totally abandoned the laundry, emptying the dishwasher and other things to blog. So there.

Housewife Confessions

#1 has taken three naps in 7 days. The apocalypse must be coming. You've been warned. 

We had our parent fair for preschool last night. I thought it would be easier since I'm past my rookie season, but I'm not so sure. I miss last years teachers (clearly, I'm no better than a three year old myself).  This year there is a Christmas party and an Easter party to volunteer for. Good news is I am very aware of this "class project" business and have proactively volunteered to handle that in hopes I don't have to do anything for the auction basket. I hate soliciting. 

I drink way too much coffee and not nearly enough water. There, I said it. 

I really thought the twins would stop waking up at 5:30 by now. Sigh. I just hate to let them cry it out for fear they will wake #1 up even earlier than her normal 6:45 time. The twins do go back to sleep, they just get a bottle. BUT still. 

#1 has really excelled in her swim lessons this summer....like way beyond what I thought she could do. Bad news is she thinks she's Janet Evans. By that I mean if you don't have a firm grip on her or enough distance between the pool and her so you can over take her when she goes to jump in, you're in trouble. I almost had to go in after her yesterday, in my clothes no less because I had gotten her dressed and she was wearing shoes. Anyone's ability to swim in shoes is questionable. 

I'm mildly starting to stress out about #1's birthday party. I have my "theme" (if you will) but need to pull the trigger on an invitation, invite list, menu, decor, etc.  Someone please plan the kids activities so they are not bored. Thanks. 

XOXO

The Housewife 

What I'm Crushing On

This last nap strike lasted 19 days. #1 slept for almost 4 hours yesterday. Obviously today she is banging around and up to all kinds of non-sense that makes me want to leave only a mattress and a sound machine in her room. Just like a toddler prison. Anyway.....these are some things I've been crushing on lately.

I really love this new Ikea green velvet couch. I can totally see it in my sitting room. With white walls, some black bookshelves like this and a black ceiling. 

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This fabric is to die for. I can see myself adding some black fringe to it to give it a little something extra as curtains. Premier Prints Jo Jo Black and White fabric. It's on sale at fabric.com right now. 

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Single Gal posted a picture of some of these Paper Mate Pens which are my absolute favorite. I could smell the back to school supplies when I passed them in Target the other week. Such a rush. 

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I don't know why I gravitate towards black and white these days but this girls dress from dot dot smile is so cute. They also carry adorable leggings. I could find a bright cardigan to pair with it.  Pretty sure there is going to be an order from this website soon for some fall clothing. Sorry Turtle. 

Hope y'all gave a great week. I'm just surviving along with the Single Gal. 4 weeks until vacation. So ready for College Football to start back again. 

xoxo- The Housewife

Instagram Dump

The sweetest girl from Twitter who follows me made the girls these precious hats. This photo was prompted by our friend E who said her office was having a "Crazy Hat Day." There are some cute out takes from this photo shoot. 

We are in the pulling up on everything stage. They like looking out the windows. 

This is a demonstration of Single Gal's babysitting at the lake house. 

Here is a glimpse of our 2.5 nano seconds of togetherness time before #1 melts down about her baby sisters. Ignore the tile choices of the previous owners of this house. 

#1 grabbed this hat out of my closet the other morning before we went swimming with some friends. I took her to the pool four times last week. No naps any of those days. Yesterday was day 15 without a nap.......maybe today brings more promise? Doubtful. 

What is all this? Tell them to stop. They are growing up too fast. 

9 months stats: 

Harper- 20 lbs 7 oz  and 27.5 inches long

Hadley- 16 lbs 7 oz  and 26 7/8ths inches long (leading 10 percentile respectively)

although she is 25% in height. boom. 

I think the only thing I've been up to is running #1 to swim lessons, sometimes swimming with some friends, praying for afternoon naps and vacation to be here soon. Turtle said I could go with the girls this weekend to Savannah and while one of our shorter trips it was great girl time. I soaked in just sitting on the beach in the sun and drinking Bud Light Lime because we all know my family beach vacation is simply a "working vacation" with better views and more people to help me. It's still super fun though. Pre-school starts in a few weeks so we've been getting that information in the mail and all the prep that entails. I am trying to sew some dresses for the girls to wear to the beach and just getting them cut to get to my friend for monogramming is proving to be equal to walking on the moon. Sheesh. 

Duty Calls......

xoxo- The Housewife

{ you can find me on instagram @housewifeblogr } 

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I was making a Target run the day of the NKOTB concert and I was in desperate need of a new bottle of top coat for my at home manicures. After stocking up on some ZBars and large bottles of water to take with us to stash in our hotel room I ran through the nail polish aisle. I grabbed some Essie top coat at first but for the price obviously there was probably something a few dollars cheaper. I turned around and the Revlon was behind me. So I grabbed some top coat but also a bottle of their gel base coat. Now, nothing against Essie because I came home with a bottle of Fifth Avenue to use so chill out people. Essie rocks my socks off but I've got mouths to feed. All I can tell you is that I did another manicure with the Revlon Gel Base Coat last Wednesday and it's still on my nails for the most part with no crazy chips. Obviously the ends of my nails have really worn off because I Crossfit and wash manic amounts of dishes, bottles etc. I couldn't find a great image of this product and it was confusing me because some bottles just have "long wear enamel" and do not specify "base coat" but it appears to be the same thing. Grab some and you won't be sorry if you need to paint your nails at home like me.

Via

I know I'm late to the party on a lot of things but it's because I'm just not a shopper. I'd love to be. Trust. I just don't have a ton of time to keep up with these things right now. It's why I love having the Single Gal around to keep me in check. Most of the time I run around in workout clothes anyway.  However, I decided to order some Twistbands with some left over birthday money and also snagged her a cute three pack. I love these things. I think they are the greatest things for Moms. It means I can put my hair back when I'm playing with the twins or trying to feed them and if I actually took a shower and spent time blow drying my hair it's not a complete waste. I signed up for emails and they sent me a free shipping code. They also carry fun prints in addition to these solids.

via The Twistband

Turtle had to travel to London recently and he is always so sweet to bring us back little gifts from abroad. He picked up this book for #1.  She is so funny. She picks it up and tells me, "Mommy, I'm reading Kate and William."

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Anything you guys are loving lately? A new pug?  Ha, ha, ha! Love you Single Gal.

The Housewife

Monday Obsessions: Crossfit

I finally got up the guts to go to a Crossfit class on Saturday. A new location opened up close to my home and it's now potentially feasible for me to get to class a few nights a week. I've heard so much about Crossfit and know two people who have done it before. I must admit, after hanging out with plenty of Ironman competitors and great distance runners, I was pretty intimidated to even go. I emailed Coach D on Thursday and told him I would be by to check things out and one of my good friends who knows the Crossfit gang around here agreed to meet me there as well. I'm glad I emailed the Coach prior because I almost chickened out and didn't go. I mean, have you guys seen the Crossfit Games on ESPN before? I know everyone is not in THAT kind of shape but still.

So I decide to show. Nobody likes a "no call, no show" as the Single Gal and I always say. I went. I worked out, hard. I'm not even sure of the last time I pushed myself that hard in any type of fitness class. It was great. I was having a Legally Blonde moment of endorphin high from working out. I felt like a new person and more like my old self. Everyone was super nice, welcoming and encouraging.  Now, it's quite a chunk of change on top of maintaining my current gym membership but I'm going to give it a go for a few months. I'll take some before pics and maybe I'll do a before/after thing. Maybe.   I'm still not sure if things are going to go back to their original places. Sigh. Nothing will happen just sitting on my bum that's for sure.

Coach D told me to come back Monday night. So.....I guess I'm going back for more torture tomorrow.

The Housewife

Confessions of a Pregnant Housewife

I was hoping to be that super trooper lady pregnant with twins who could make it to 40 weeks but I'm 37 weeks and grateful they will hopefully schedule induction for Friday. (FYI for anyone new my practice will not let me go past 38 weeks so skip the comments that 40 weeks is ideal.)

I'm glad we were tired and taped the last half of he Alabama game Saturday because it probably would have sent me into early labor. Happy for a win in Death Valley. 

I'm still slightly hopeful there is a small chance I will go into labor naturally before Friday.....as I laugh in my own face. Sigh. 

I'm highly curious about the weird deflation of my stomach that will hopefully occur once the babies are delivered. 

If you are a family member reading this, I have NOT actually scheduled anything with the doctor for delivery. I will call YOU when that has actually happened. Do not call me freaking out that I have not told you something. 

I have not packed a bag yet. I did pack some baby outfits though. 

While I'm totally not into an only child scenario I am secretly afraid having more children will ruin #1's life. I know this will pass....or she can find a good therapist to bitch about me to. 

I think all doctors tell poor pregnant ladies they are 1 cm at this point....conspiracy theory. 

XOXO

A slightly uncomfortable & grumpy housewife

See the Beauty

I follow the Styleberry blog on Facebook as well as in our reading links and she linked up to this Huffington Post article by Allison Tate. As mothers, how many of us are always behind the camera instead of in front of it? I really enjoy taking pictures but to be honest I'm hardly ever in any pictures with my daughter. My husband on the other hand is in about 4 million of them. Why is that? I'm sure part of it is me and the other is that men just don't think about and I never push it. I never say, "Here, please take some pictures of me with her."  I'm especially feeling the way Allison did in the article because I'm pregnant. I don't see the happiness in my daughters face in the photo. All I can see is my chubby arms, that my hair doesn't look good, that my face is much fuller than normal and plagued by terrible melasme (aka pregnancy mask) no matter how many times a day I put sunscreen on my face.  #1's birthday party is this weekend....as in tomorrow. (Let's not even talk about how much Turtle and I need to accomplish before 11 am.)

Do I want her to look back on her 2nd birthday and not have any family pictures from Saturday? I'm sure I won't like any of them. They will always be at "the wrong angle" or the most "unflattering." Her first birthday was fine.......I was in marathon shape and actually got up super early with The Single Gal to get my 20 miles in before her party that afternoon. This year I'm almost 33 weeks pregnant. Every time I go into a store I can feel people staring at me. More than likely it's because they are afraid I will just go into spontaneous labor as due to my size I look "full term".........because that's such a realistic occurrence. To just go into active labor in the middle of Barnes and Noble when you walked in just fine (usually it's men who appear afraid of this scenario).

The thing is, #1 doesn't know the "f" word- as in FAT. When she looks at a picture of us she sees "MOMMY"! And when she's older I'm sure she will still feel the same way. I dread the day when she no longer sees herself and begins to be critical of her appearance because of what she thinks she should look like. I'm sure those years are very far off but I'm sure they will come. How can we expect our children to be any different when at our current ages we still fight the same fight?

I vow this weekend that I will be in pictures with my daughter. In a few weeks time it will no longer be the three of us but the five of us. It's my last pregnancy...I will love my belly and the rest of my body.

The Housewife

Labor Day

I hope everyone is still having a fantastic Labor Day weekend. The Housewife household has been laying low except for our random trip to Costco for a significantly large television for the living room. It was time and let it be known we did make it through opening weekend of college football on the smaller televisions. Turtle wanted one of those "smart" televisions........and it's so smart we are still trying to get sound to come out of it. But hey.......you can use the internet on it if you want to and it has silent 3D. I think we just lack proper upgraded cables to accomplish this.

Helping Dad wash the car

Found a lizard stuck in a solo cup (pardon the terrible humidity fogging my lens)

After much debate we convinced her to free the little beast

Labor Day is also significant as today marks 10 weeks or less until the twins arrive (if I make it to 38 weeks which we are hoping to). Sleep is a little harder because I have to keep switching sides depending on if Baby B is jammed in my rib causing it to ache or my sciatica/hips are hurting on the left side. It's not unbearable. I don't think it's due to the size of my stomach but more that there is double everything in there right now.

The Housewife