Busy?

So my husband has a broken leg. Read my last post on all that 'goodness'. So I've been put into overdrive. Looking after Joy, my daycare girl, the house, the cat, the car and oh yeah the hubby. Don't get me wrong I love it. Just it tires me out now with this little one growing inside me. Oh and exciting news? I'm in my 3rd trimester!!! CRAZY!!!

I'll talk about my pregnancy before I talk about my overdrive. I'm 27weeks preggy. And I feel like this baby is 9months already ~ why? Baby kicks as hard as Joy did in the last month. Now I still have 3 months of this and it's only going to get more painful. But I'm starting to feel more energized (well until overdrive set in). I even stopped taking naps! Unbelievable I know! But I seem to do my best in the last leg of pregnancy. Morning sickness it completely gone, I look pregnant, and I'm excited for babies arrival ~ while trying to enjoy time alone with my daughter as well. I am on a pregnancy forum (where preggy mom's due around me all chit chat). They are all ready and set up for babies arrival...3 months in advance? I dont' think I was even that ready with Joy. Because we had to redo flooring etc, and set up the furniture. This time around? I dont' plan to even look at the boxes of newborn stuff until begining of March. Orlund will have his cast off and I wont have Grace for a few weeks. Perfect time to rearrange furniture and go through all the baby stuff. I'm very excited to set up for baby, but I honestly don't know how we will fit him/her in. Joy has SO MUCH STUFF that I just don't know how it will work out. I have decided I need more shelves in the closet in their room. That would provide enough room, however......I have to remove one of the shelving units from the room to fit Joy's 'big girl bed'. hmmmm... Oh well I'll make it work. I can get pretty creative, might just have to build some shelves etc.

Now onto my overdrive. So Orlund broke his leg on Tuesday. Tuesday night was Mom Norstroms birthday dinner. That's it for the week (besides working on thrusday). Orlund was okay'd to work from home so he worked thursday and friday, I think a bit wednesday ~ atleast setting up the connection to work. Friday we get a call from one of our pastors that the small group we volunteered to host IS happening this sunday. Sure, I was looking forward to hosting it. My house was a disaster!! This is the overdrive. I'd been working on laundry all week (still not done), I got Orlund to do some folding. That's about all he could do. So I started cleaning. Saturday I had a birthday party to go to then we went to dinner out at my parents place. There goes saturday for cleaning. Today, Sunday, I cleaned this house upside and out. I'm tired. I'll sleep good tonight. I was just about to put some cookie dough in the oven (frozen stuff) when the pastor called to say that he didn't think anyone was coming tonight....And no one showed up. That's okay right? My house is spotless, and I still have to move some furniture back to their places (chairs). Orlund said it's good that the house is clean 'cause then I can go hang out with my mom tomorrow and not worry about the house needing to be cleaned......sure....This means he wont be bugging me about things needing to get done, however it makes me realize just how much more I have to do. Laundry. Fish tank. Vacuum downstairs (toy room). Clean our ensuite. Remop the entry (doesn't work moping in the dark). kitty litter. and the list goes on. But at least if anyone was to stop in to say "hi" my house would seem clean :) I love it being clean.

Well I should run, I've got some stuff to research online.
God Bless you.

Wow, okay....curve ball!

I've already filled you in on my wonderful surprise New years day ~ Mom coming home. Want to hear how the rest of my days have gone so far? New years day was Friday. Saturday Orlund, Joy and I hung out at home, Orlund did leave for a bit to pick up our dishwasher with his parents. I was waiting to eat lunch with him (until dinner time) to find out he ate with his parents before picking up the dishwasher ~ oops, communication. But I was happy, I had my dishwasher. Sunday was nice, went to church, had my mom and dad over for lunch. Then Mom and I got to hang out for a while. Unfortunately on New years day Joy picked up a cold. And she decided to start teething. So NO sleeping. NO naps. Lots of snot and drool though. Poor girl.
Monday finally arrived. I was excited. 1) I was getting my dishwasher installed. and 2) Orlund was back to work and I could get back to my routines. That sounds bad. However having him home throws off my routine, it throws his off too. I'm sure everyone feels this way, probably why people are excited for kids to go back to school. I wanted to spend the day cleaning and getting organized. Which I did. Didn't do as much as I'd wanted to however got the essentials done.
And I LOVE my dishwasher... what a BLESSING! takes 5minutes to do dishes instead of an hour!! (of my time that is).

Tuesday morning...... I was up with Orlund, actually I was up before him (bladders with a baby ontop do that). We both got ready for work (first day with Grace back). I headed downstairs when I heard him shovelling snow off the driveway. I was reorganizing the toy room (one of the things I didn't get done) when I heard this horendous noise. It wasn't crying, or shouting, just a loud like groaning. I ran outside in my white socks to see a neighbor start down our driveway, I rounded the car to see Orlund sprawled out on the driveway groaning! "I broke my leg" he said. the neighbor and I both looked at his leg, the left one, it was twisted up weird. The neighbor said "looks like a sprain" as he started to reach for it, then Orlund said "I heard it snap" the neighbor backed his hands up and said "it looks broken". The neighbor then helped Orlund to his feet, he asked first if Orlund could put pressure on it at all "nope". Then as Orlund stood up he stepped on his left foot. Both the neighbor and I looked and he asked "you can put pressure on it?" "no, it's my other foot". Here we were both thinking it was the left foot when in fact it was the RIGHT foot! I'm so thankful the neighbor was there, he helped load orlund into the passenger side of our car. NOW WHAT? I couldn't just leave, Grace was due to arrive any minute! And we don't have a car seat for her. So I figured I'd call her parent's cell phone. off. Okay, I'll call Orlund's mom, she can drive here then take him and I can stay with the kids (I wanted to go but this made the most sense). So I called her up, woke her up, and she headed out the door.(and it was Hazel's birthday, new way to start the day "Hi mom, Happy birthday can you drive me to the hospital? I broke my leg!") Grace arrived and it seemed like forever for Hazel to get here (it wasn't). After explaining that we wouldn't be able to move Orlund and so she had to drive our car they were off. And I was left at home watching Grace (Joy was asleep) and wanting to know what happened.

He BROKE his leg! That's right, just above the ankle. Luckily it was a clean break. So no resetting etc. Just casted ~ for 6 weeks. So now, after my excitement of getting into routine, I have my husband home. Unable to do pretty much anything! It's actually kinda interesting. I find anyway. I feel more like doing things (cleaning etc) now that he's here. Kinda like he doesn't expect me to do it (preggy etc), but he can't so I feel more like I'm doing it for him and it seems to motivate me more...SHHHHH, don't tell him that though ;)

So now I have to get up everymorning to drive him to work (he's off for this week though). I don't mind getting up earlier, I just don't like getting Joy up earlier. Oh well you do what you have to do. I don't know if I'll be able to ever get her back to sleeping in until 10am, but this is what has to happen.

Still after the broken leg we convinced Hazel not to cancel her birthday dinner (we had been waiting for it, dinner out). So we got there, Orlund hobbled about, and it was good!

Well that's all I'll blab about for now. It's bedtime. I need my rest for tomorrow (Grace is here), I was out today and it sure wears me out!

God Bless you!

Start of the New Year

New Years Eve wasn't what we had hoped it to be. We rented a movie. After watching 15minutes (or less) we shut it off. Gross. Luckily we had a few episodes of 'friends' so enjoyed that for an hour or so. then went to bed around 11pm.

New years Day we wanted to head out to my Brother's house to have dinner with him and my dad. My Dad had just returned from Thailand from visiting my mom and their 20 other kids. We wanted to be out of the house at 10am to ensure lots of sleighing time with Joy. We got out at quarter to 11. By the time we got to my Bro's house it was almost noon and we were hungry!
My Dad was all excited and wanted us to open our Christmas gifts, which both Orlund and I found strange but went along with it anyway (who say's no to gifts?). My dad ran downstairs and returned carrying a suitcase. "you have to open it" Dad said. We started to open it and try to get Joy to help. I then noticed my brother in the corner of my eye at the top of the stairs with the camera. Next to him stood a lady. I stared at her for a good few seconds (felt like minutes) trying to decide if it really was her. How could it be? MY MOM?!?!?! I jumped to my feet and gave her a hug. I screamed when I got up, scared Joy ~ poor girl. I couldn't contain the tears, I was getting the hug I'd longed for for so long. Every person you love has a specail way of hugging. Not one is the same. And Mom hugs just always seem at the top of the list (especially when you don't get them all the time).
Mom had flown home with Dad and is home for a month. Unfortunately she's staying a good 40minutes out of town. I love winter but I hate winter driving... and I booked my entire next week full! Next week I am definetly keeping it open! ('cept work of course).

Well that was the most wonderful start to the New Year I could have ever asked for. I pray yours was as good, and your year be filled with wonderful moments just like this one. God bless.

Christmas time.

Merry Christmas everyone! I know it's already New years eve today! So I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and will have a wonderful New Year!!

Christmas this year was spent with Orlund's family as mine were all out of town(well most were out of the country). Christmas Eve I was able to go online and chat with my parents (gosh I miss them at this time of the year, more than usual). Orlund had to work until noon, then came home and we had to wait for Joy to wake up. We were planning to head up to Or's parents around 3pm. At 4:20ish we finally woke Joy up! We had a wonderful Ukrainian style dinner and once the kitchen was cleaned up we gathered around the living room for gifts. Both the grandkids were spoiled rotten, okay okay, we ALL were spoiled rotten! I finally got a body pillow to help sleep (only problem now is we need a bigger bed). It was a late night but a wonderful evening visiting with everyone.

Christmas morning we had a nice breakfast and then Orlund, Joy and I gathered in our livingroom. We discovered quickly that 19month olds don't really need many gifts. We ended up opening most of hers as she was happy with the first couple stocking stuffers. Joy got a 'big girl bed' (crib mattress and side rail) along with a sled for the snow that had yet to fall. She was so excited about the bed we even video taped some of it as she kept laying on it pretending she was asleep. And although we didn't have snow Joy got us to pull her through the house on the sleigh. spoiled. rotten. I got Orlund a fancy 'canon' camera bag he'd wanted (came with an extra battery and filter). and Orlund got me a 'slice' machine. It is for scrapbooking, card making etc. It cuts shapes out of paper for you, very fancy and it does lettering too (will save $ definetly). I read all the instructions however haven't tried it yet. Although I have 3 birthdays next week, which I'm making the cards for, so I'll get to do a test run soon enough!

Once we were finished with our gifts, dressed and ready to go we called Orlund's parents and headed back to their place. We enjoyed a time of fellowship, and goodies (lots of goodies). Around 3 or 4pm we headed home for naps (well Joy's nap, although I did zonk out on the couch for about 10minutes). We got our goodies ready and around 6pm the family (minus Virden, Kerry and Ava) showed up for more goodies and games.

I've found this Christmas 'break' to be rather different than any other we've ever had before. This year Orlund really feels like staying at home, not just lazing around but doing some stuff here too, but mostly just staying in. I on the other hand feel like getting out. And I don't want to go by myself I want to go with Orlund. I feel like I need hubby time. When you are a stay at home mom you don't really get 'holiday's' like everyone else. I have slacked off and Orlund has done most the cooking (Thanks honey!), but my primary 'job' (being a mom) never stops. I wouldn't want it to stop, but staying at home is what I do everyday so I keep wanting to get out and he wants to stay in. Since Christmas we have gone shopping (Yippee bought a dishwasher!!!), Gone swimming, and had some freinds over for a party. Today we were going to go sledding, but tomorrow we are going to visit my Dad and brother so will go sledding with them (they have more snow where they are). We wanted to go to the wildlights, however just can't justify the price when Joy wont really get much out of it (next year is the last year she's free though). Tonight is just going to be a 'chill' night, Joy will get to bed at bedtime, Orlund and I will rent a movie and watch it while avoiding any more goodies. Later today once Joy is up from her nap we will go out to rent the movie, buy some food and go for coffee.

Orlund asked me this morning how far along we are in our pregnancy. 25 weeks. that leaves 15weeks till due date. And in a couple days we will actually be 26weeks. I find it interesting this time around. Last pregnancy I was obsessed with it. This time around, it's more boring to me ~ not the carrying a child that I will get to bring into this world. no. but reading about pregnancy is more boring. Baby kicks hard enough already you can see it when I'm standing. Baby keeps we awake some nights, I love felling him/her, but I do like my sleep. ~Praise God for husbands who get up with the toddler so mommy can try to rest~. I'm excited and planning ahead more for summer than I am for the babies arrival! weird. I know. But I guess I'm tired of being cooped up in the house. I love snow, but we haven't had much (until last night), and with 2 toddlers (when daycaring) it takes so long to get them dressed/undressed for a 5 minute romp in the snow. I still do it though. It's mostly been cold. I just want spring. I love spring. I don't like extreme heat. I want spring. Swimming was wonderful, baby in my tummy rested the entire time and I felt so light I forgot I was pregnant. It felt good my tummy feels realy heavy this time around.

I think that's enough rambling. I'll post pictures later.
God bless you all!

Colds + Work

Well I finally got a job :) That's right. I now have a little 2 year old girl I watch every tuesday and thursday from 8-10hours a day. Her name is Grace, and she is so much fun to have around! She can talk, which just blows my mind, can't wait till Joy can talk. Her Dad drops her off around 7:30am and we get some one on one time to play, perfect time to play with the toys Joy isn't allowed yet (like Play Doh). Joy wakes up around 9:30-10am, which is right when Grace likes her morning snack. So I am able to sit them both down and feed them both and myself :) We then change diapers, get Joy dressed and head out for a walk. I do the walking... trying to have two kids walk beside the stroller isn't the easiest! (and way to many people speed around here). So I put them in the double stroller and this pregnant lady gets her work out! After the walk we return home and spend anywhere from an hour to two playing in the toy room. Then we head upstairs and I make lunch, or put them down for naps... depending. Grace naps for 1-3hours. and Joy only naps for 2 hours. I have to put Grace down first otherwise Joy seems to think she's missing out. Then once they are both settled in and I've cleaned up a bit in the kitchen I sneak into our room (Grace sleeps in playpen at foot of bed) and Tipsy and I slip into bed for our nap. Either right after I put Grace down or just before she gets up I get to spend some one on one time with Joy, I think she needs it. I have only watched Grace 2times so far, but they have both been wonderful! The first day Joy really wasn't sure about sharing toys, but day two was better.

Now about colds. Joy seems to have one. We believe she's had one for a while, due to her bad sleeping a few weeks back. But today after her nap (which I had to wake her up from) I noticed when breathing her nose did the 'squeak'of being a bit plugged up. I too have been fighting something off. Please pray we don't get sicker but that this is the tale end of it, we just got Grace, we don't want to be sick!

The season for Lists.

I'm a list person. That's right. I have lists for EVERYTHING! Don't believe me? HA! I can't remember anything unless I write it down. I have never had the best memory, then throw in having a baby and now this pregnancy, and I almost have to have lists to tell me where I put my lists! Cleaning the house? I have lists. I write a list almost everyday, not that I always complete the lists, but I write them. When I worked I would write lists as to what to do throughout the day. Even if I didn't have any customers I had a full day of work listed out hour by hour. That way if I didn't have any customers I always had stuff to do, and wouldn't have time to let my mind wander or waste time. And if I did have customers then I knew exactly what needed to be done between them. I love lists, I really do. I lose them, rewrite them, but I always have a list.

Grocery shopping I make a list of what we need, then I rewrite it so that I can walk through the store in the same order I always do and pick everything up in order. No back tracking, no getting confused. Straight forward. List.

Cleaning I make a list, sometimes I even make a list of how long each of these things will take and put them together so my day is down to the minute planned out. (hard with a toddler, but still partly duable). I also have boxes next to them to check them off when done, then scratch them out when completely done... see I will have "clean bedroom", and later "vaccuum upstairs". Therefore after I clean the bedroom I will check off the box, then only after I've vaccuumed will I cross it off the list completely. Some people may think, "why not just get to work, you're wasting time making a list". Not for me! I need the list to keep focused and motivated. If I don't have it, I forget what needs to be done, or I just peeter out.

Christmas time, the most wonderful time of the year, also for us list makers it means many many more lists. Lists for parties ~ people to invite, food to buy, food to prepare, house to clean, drinks to serve, etc. Lists for gifts ~ for us, for you, for them etc. Lists for decorating ~ time organizing as I call it. Lists for schedule ~ events, dinners, parties, get togethers, fun in the snow time, etc etc. honestly I LOVE Christmas, not just for the fun and fellowship but for the lists. Almost everyone you see shopping will have a list. I know I will. Heck I already have lists everywhere!

I hope you find as much Joy out of lists as I do!

Been a while

Hello Blog! it's been a while! I'm pregnant!! Yup that's the exciting new news in our house. Okay so it's not such new news now as I am already 17weeks along. How did we find out you might ask? maybe you wouldn't ask but I'm going to tell you anyway. I had had a 'light' visit with Auntie Flo, so again was dissapointed (8months trying), but took note of how light the visit really was. Around the "O" time after that I started to feel sick.... and not just any sick, it felt like morning sickness. If you have ever had morning sickness then you know how it's different than anything else out there. I convinced myself I couldn't be pregnant, however whenever the nausea really kicked in I'd find myself saying "it feels like morning sickness but it can't be" after about a week of my husband hearing me say this, he was tired of it. So we went and bought a test. Came home, ... , then left the test on the bathroom counter and headed to the livingroom. I thought I saw the test changing to a possitive before I'd even put it down, but I know to wait for the indicator window to work otherwise it's false. Orlund stayed with the test. Cracking jokes and teasing me, I couldn't take it, when he finally said the two minutes were up I ran to the bathroom. "well we are obviously pregnant!" he said "it changed right away" I proceeded to jump up and down and yell with excitement... Joy cried... not because she wont be the only child anymore (she doesn't get that yet) but that mom was yelling! after we comforted her we figured it must not have been Auntie Flo who visited. We figured we were due April 5th. (I always wanted an april baby). After I went to the doctor, he suggested a dating ultrasound due to the spotting. So I got to go see a peanut on the screen that had a little spot thumping away (heartbeat). The technician said I was due 5days later than thought, so April 10th is our due date. The day before my 26th birthday!! I've had very bad morning sickness and have dropped around 15lbs. I do have a small baby bump, and today we get to finally hear the heartbeat for the first time!!!! SO EXCITED. which is my cue to get off the computer and get Joy and I dressed so we can catch the bus to take us to the apt.Thanks for listening!