Addy-Daddy time

Addy was never a snuggler When she was a baby she always wanted to be put down so she could crawl around or run around. She would give hugs and kisses with abandon and shower affection, smiles and joy on everyone and anyone... but she did NOT like staying still to snuggle.

She changed.

She'll be five this month and one of her absolute favorite things to do is snuggle with her Daddy. She loves to curl up next to him or climb on his lap and say "Hey Daddy, how about some Addy Daddy time?" Johnny will often try to use this time to talk to her about her day - what she did, etc. but Addy is adamant.. "No, Daddy. This is Addy Daddy time. No talking please."

I guess snuggling is serious business. :)

The Dead Snowman.

All year long Adeline has been wanting to build a snowman but as it would happen something always gets in the way. So, when it snowed, wet, packable, perfect snowman snow Sunday night we knew our mission for Monday was to build a snowman. 

Johnny & Addy dressed in their snow gear (John Michael was with my parents on a weekend trip) and headed out to build a snowman.  I was so happy that she finally got her snow dream that I knew I had to snap a couple of pictures.  Here's one of them with the finished product.

I was a little nervous John Michael would come home and be jealous that he didn't get to make a snowman but when he arrived home he didn't mention it at all.  Later that evening we left to go somewhere and I saw, with dismay, that the snowman was in pieces all over the yard. "Oh, how sad! The snowman fell apart!" I said, to which Johnny replied: "No, Addy knocked it down." He explained that the snowman survived for a total of 5 minutes before Addy's next dream became to promptly knock it down.  She's an enigma.

And on the pregnancy front I'm one day shy of 39 weeks. 

At the beginning of my pregnancy my first trimester ultrasound gave me a due date of 2/27 but my midwife promptly changed it to 3/3 explaining that she thought 3/3 was more accurate and that I generally go late anyway. So, I've spent the last 6-7 months unsuccessfully convincing myself that I'm due 3/3 and not 2/27... which means that in about 4 days I'm going to think I'm due even though I'm not. And in 14 days I'm going to think I'm 10 days late when I'm really only 6 days late. :) So, I'm completely expecting Greyson to arrive on 3/9... 10 days after my original due date. :)

Meanwhile, I'll stay satisfied on my weird pregnancy indulgence: Wheat Grass!

And how 'bout it? I made an appearance on my own blog twice in one post!

Its not cold today.

Today we saw patches of grass under the snow. 

Today we went out in vests instead of coats.

Today I wore sunglasses while driving because we actually saw the sun.

Today feels like spring. 

I'm not getting my hopes up though because I know how devious and deceptive the midwest weather can be... but I can hope. 

My only girl.

Its funny how the timing of information makes all the difference in how you respond to it.  Just a little over a week ago I found out that our 4th baby is going to be another boy.

And I cried.

Okay, I kind of cried a lot.

I laugh about the timing now because had I started with three boys and just found out I was having a girl I'd be DELIGHTED. ECSTATIC. Beside myself!!

I don't think I even realized how deeply I was hoping to have another girl until I found out. Its not really that I prefer having girls over boys... its really just that I wanted Adeline to experience the joys of having a sister as well as the joys of having a brother. I have a sister I adore and love and couldn't imagine life without and I wanted that for her too. However, since this is more than likely our last natural child (okay Johnny - DEFINITELY our last natural child :)) I knew that unless the Lord brings her a sister through another route that she would be a princess amongst stinky boys. :)

Its okay. I know some of you are cringing right now thinking, "Oh, how sad! I hope that little boy  never reads this blog!" But the truth is A.) He probably won't. and B.) Even if he does by then he should know how incredibly happy I am that he's a boy and that he's mine. :)

The original plan was to wait and be surprised to find out what we were having - but in the end I'm glad I know. Already I can't imagine this little boy being a girl.... and its given me that many more weeks to savor the fact that Adeline will be my only one. My only daughter. My only little girl to train in the wonders of femininity. My princess.

And WOW has it transformed the way that I treat her. I look at her differently. I appreciate her in a new way. I savor her in new ways too... I cherish the memories I'm creating now of her playing with her Lucy lambs, of her playing in her doll house... of her bossing around her brothers (though I'm sure those memories will remain fresh throughout all of our lives... hehe). And I'm glad to know. I'm glad I can use these last weeks before this new little guy is born to savor her femininity because each stage is one I'll never witness again.

She's our joy and our delight... and she'll be the family princess for life. :)

And with intimidating looks like this I'm sure she'll be helping me whip this house full of boys into shape in no time. :)

Fashion Hypocrite

I feel a bit like a fashion hypocrite. When I leave the house I try to look cute - I love wearing things that are in style and trendy and unique. But when I'm home, which is the majority of my life, I wear my pajamas. All. Day. Lately my pajamas are oversized t-shirts and pants that are two sizes too big so you can imagine Lucky magazine has been breaking down my door for a photo shoot and a list of my winter must haves. :)

I'm the same way with the kids. My children have been blessed with a grandma who loves to buy them clothes - so their wardrobes are nothing short of adorable. But when we're home they wear mismatched clothes or run around naked....

Which leads me to my title. I feel a bit like a hypocrite! People think I'm SO stylish and SO put together because they see me once a week in public... but then they come over to my house or see me when I'm running out to the grocery store and they look at me compassionately and ask if I'm sick. "No," I kindly reply, "I just don't usually wear make up during the week."

So you see, its out. I'm really just a lazy bum at heart.

Though I will say that if Addy has cute cotton dresses I will put those on her every day. My mom recently bought this one from Target and I happened to have tights that matched perfectly. I figured I better take advantage of the non pj moment and grab a few snappies.