3 weeks and seriously counting!

With 3 weeks left to go I thought I would post an updated belly pic. I have been pretty bad about keeping up with those with this pregnancy (sorry baby). Here is #3 in all their big belly glory..well, I guess that would be my big belly glory:) I love being pregnant and I sure will miss the baby bump when it is gone, but I have to say that momma is getting quite uncomfortable these days and you can see why. Any guesses by the way I am carrying what this baby will be??? And yes, after seeing this picture, I realize just how badly I need to go into nesting mode and clean that mirror..yikes!
                                     

Update: Shared Room

We moved the kids into 1 room 3 nights ago. And I must say, it hasn't been as bad as I thought. They both screamed and cried the first night, then little man only the second, and last night, neither of them cried. I think they are finally used to it. I do believe that Knox wakes Dixie up every morning with his jabbering noises, but she just lays in bed quietly.

 Nap time is still a work in progress as I have to switch rooms for Knox so that they actually sleep. He was not thrilled with the idea and so to show his disdain, he decided to eat the side of his crib like a beaver on a log. For 2 days I would go get him and the crib would be gnawed down and his face was covered in paint chips (well that's healthy). I finally ordered side rail crib covers, but in the mean time I have rigged up a dish towel with some twine over it. It seems to have done the trick.

I have to say that it is eating me alive to not have their new shared room decorated appropriately. Everything is still cowboy and Knox's name is still written on the wall in rope. I have yet to decide what I want to do as far as decor goes, but it's making me insane in the process. I did get my silhouette machine in the mail yesterday, so I am thinking that I will make some vibrant and fun vinyl art work for the walls...just have to figure out how to use the silhouette first.

I have to say that I am glad that we combined the kids when we did and that there is a free room waiting for baby when I am ready to move them into a room. Once I get some decor going on their rooms, I will post some pics.

Sharing a Room

So, now that I am a few weeks away from having this baby, I realize that I probably should go ahead and move my 2 kiddos (2 and 1) into a shared room. We have a 3 bedroom house and since I am a big Baby wise mom, I know the benefit of having the new baby in their own room around 2 weeks of age (SLEEP). I have been so apprehensive about making this move especially since my kids go to bed at different times. Little Miss likes to sing and talk herself to sleep while my stud muffin just plays with his hair and kind of coos himself to sleep. I have tried to get them on the same night time schedule, but so far, it's not happening. I just envision them keeping each other up all night. I mean they have to sleep eventually right????

I wanted to wait until I felt that Little Man was old enough (he just turned1), but now I am thinking that with 3 weeks left before baby gets here, I should probably make the transition now to get them used to it before I throw another wrench in their lives with a new bambino here. I am incredibly nervous about how this will go. I am fretting over how I will make nap times work. It seems like night time would be a lot easier since it is dark, but with a little daylight streaming through the curtains, I know for a fact nap will not be happening. I am trying to work it all out in my head and as silly and petty as it sounds, I am stressing. I know it will work itself out as I have friends who have done it and say it works well, it's just scary when it's your turn to try it out.

On an even more silly note, I am sad that the kid's room decor will be ruined. I love their rooms and they are very specific for each one of them (especially since one is very girly and one is cowboyed out) When they share, I will have to come up with a whole new look (that means fun for me, not so much fun for my husband who is not going to like me spending more money), but I don't want to do that until December when I get them bunk beds and have the room established as their room (We will be moving rooms around again at the end of the year. For now it's fit them where we can fit them).

I have been looking up decor ideas and beds. I feel so out of the loop, but I had no idea that they made bunk beds with trundles. I thought this was the coolest invention ever when I saw it. We eventually plan on all three kids sharing one sleeping room and having a separate play room. So that type of bed would be perfect, I guess until we have more kids (yea, I have no clue if we are done or not).

So much to think about that my brain has been going crazy with ideas. I think we will try to combine the kids this week and see how they do. In the meantime, here are some pictures of ideas I have when I can actually decorate a shared room for the kids. Remember that it has to be gender neutral.

A bunk bed like this:

I love these vibrant colors and how basic and non fussy the bedspreads are.

I love the green and blue combo here. Throw in a little pink on the girl's bed and perfect!!!

We'll see how it goes. If anyone knows of places in the area that sell trundle bunk beds for a decent price, let me know as I want to start keeping an eye out for one. Also, if you have any ideas on decorating a boy/girl shared room, I would love to hear it.

 

1 year photo shoot

We took my little guy to the park yesterday for his 1 year pics. I wanted to share some of my favorites.

He devoured this cake!

Soon to be Silhouetted!

I finally caved and I am sooooo excited! I used my Christmas money and ordered a Silhouette Cameo!!!!! I cannot wait to get it in and whip up all kinds of fun projects. Although, by the time it gets here, the baby will almost be here, so it might actually be a while before I can start anything. Every review that I read on it and everyone I talked to that has one, said how amazing they are.YIPPIE!!!!

I think that I am most excited about making my own birthday party decor from banners to food tags and not paying $30 for a set off of Etsy. I can actually be the one who makes the cute stuff. Like this:

 I am also pumped to get some vinyl pieces on my wall. I'll make sure to share any projects I do once I get rolling. I know that once the new baby is here and I am taking care of 3 kids under 3, I will have all sorts of time to craft (enter sarcasm), so this will be perfect:)
 

Christmas in pics

Christmas was so much fun this year! I loved watching my kids open presents and enjoy all things Christmas. Dixie was particularly fun to watch as she got excited over every gift. This was Knox's first year to really show any interest, since last year he was 3 days old and just slept in his bouncy seat. I really just wanted to upload some pictures from the day.

We celebrated Christmas Eve with my dad and brothers. We got catering from Copelands, which meant I didn't have to cook and it was delicious!

Thanking Grandpa for her puppy.

  My littlest little brother.

 My biggest little brother.

 Having fun opening gifts and spending time together.

 Knox loved his drum and is seriously a little drummer boy.

 My dad with his kids and grandkids (1 missing)

 Playing Cupunk (I think it's like beer pong with no beer. I've never played beer pong, but that's what I have heard. It was a fun game and kept these 2 entertained for a while)

 My mom and sis with our matching hats.

 1 more month to go.....

 My siblings

 Christmas morning.

 Evan was so excited to get Knox a basketball goal for his room. The tag read: 

To: NBA star From: Coach. It was really cute.

Last Christmas as a family of 4

 This boy is going to be a musician. He got his own guitar

 I already have a crock pot but broke the lid. I have been using a cookie sheet to cover mine. Glad to have a new one..and it's red..bonus!!!

Evan wanted a king cake...and it was delicious!! Pecan Praline

 Dixie and her Madame Alexander doll that we named Kelsey.

Playing with her new play dough toys before we even got to eat breakfast.

Knox's fisher price race track.

He shoots....he scores!!!!! I love this picture.

 She was sooo thrilled to get a bike. It is going to take her a while to learn how to use it though.

 We did Tacky Christmas for Christmas day. 

We have started the tradition of doing New Orleans style food for Christmas day. That way it's not like we are eating 2 Thanksgiving meals. Christmas dinner is now my favorite! Here are a few of the dishes.

Boudin stuffed turkey

 Stuffed artichokes

 Crab cakes and remoulade

 We played white elephant with a $20 gift. It's always fun to see what everyone brings and steals.

 Thought this was great. The Help and a chocolate cream pie (if you read it, you know why).

My mom got the perfect push up:)

Such a fabulous Christmas with my family. So blessed! Now on to a new year and all God has in store! So long 2011...you were a great one!