Items of Note

Well, let's start with the small stuff.

Yesterday was Cinco De Mayo. Did you celebrate? We did - but really just so we would have an excuse to have carne asada burritos. They are a Jeppson family favorite. The recipe is totally gringo, but they are muy delicioso.


We got a patio dining set last weekend at a yardsale. We have wanted one for years but they are so pricey that they haven't been on the top of our list. In fact, we had just resigned ourselves to getting a really cheap one we didn't like much at Ikea the day before and luckily hadn't assebled it. Took it back! Well, I am pretty darn excited about this new one. The cushion were pretty raunch so we needed to replace them. Found the perfect replacements at guess where? ALDI! We have used it every day since we got it.

So, now the real news:

Chad's parents are in town!!! That's my mother-in-law Judy in the above picture. They drove across the country to visit and we couldn't be more excited to have them here.

My kids adore their Grandma and Grandpa Coleman. Many more posts to come about their visit!

Good Enough

I told Chad this morning, "Let's get the kids ready early for church so I can grab some pictures of them before we leave."

And then I played this game I like to play a lot lately. I pull out my pre-maternity clothes and try on outfit after outfit, trying to find something that at least kind of fits and at least kind of looks good. You know the game. It isn't very fun, but it is good at sucking up time.

By the time I dressed myself, I realized it was going to be a rush just to get the kids ready on time - the pictures definitely weren't going to happen. So I played another game I am not so fond of. In this one I dig through the pile of clothes on my bedroom floor that I have managed to wash, but have not managed to put away, trying to pull together outfits for the kids that don't scream, "Member of a postpartum household." I only half succeeded in this game as well, and before we managed get out the door, Oliver managed to lose his tie and get red marker on his shirt. Add to that the scrape on his face and his appearance was living up to his orphan name.

Oh, and the hairbow my mom made for Carina's new dress? Where the heck did it go?

We were late for church, (which, despite my disorganized tendencies, actually isn't the norm for us) and by the time we straggled in, grumpy parents and hyper kids, there was not a single row in the sacrament room with enough room for a family of six. Sitting the foyer did wonders for the kids' reverence -taking it from straight from"barely acceptable" to "go sit outside before I strangle you here and now".

This is what is lovely about church though - even though I spent much of sacrament meeting thinking that we should just pack up and go home, when it really was time to leave a couple of hours later, I loved my kids, I felt calm and happy, and I no longer had a list in my head of everything that was wrong with each member of my family.

When we got home, the hairbow was found, some pictures were snapped (in which I look really tired and my hair is a mess), and really, everything that really needed to get done today was done (meaning the church part, not the pictures part).

And that is kind of sums things up for me right now.

One Month Old

21 3/4 inches (75th percentile)
10 lbs 2 oz (75th percentile)

Easter

Baby-In-A-Easter-Basket

When I saw this basket a couple of months ago, I snatched it up, thinking it would be just perfect for my baby girl. I did not anticipate two things: that she would be born early instead of late, and that she would be my fastest growing baby. She barely fit in the basket yesterday.

This cheesy tradition that started with a spur-of-the-moment photo shoot when Colin was 18 days old, has become much more than that for me. Every Easter when we pull out those baskets, I coo to the kids, "Ooooh, I can't believe you used to fit in that basket!!!" It makes me gooey with nostalgic love and I am reminded how precious they all are to me, and how quickly time passes.

Pictures of the other kids in their baskets here.

North Carolina Zoo - Happy Earth Day!

This week has been Colin's spring break. It has been so nice to have Chad home for it. Last year he was out of town for work during it, and I had pneumonia, so this week has been heaven compared to that!

We took a little trip on Monday to Asheboro to the zoo. It has been three and a half years since we went to that zoo, so the kids didn't really remember it very well. The zoo is quite nice - very natural, with lots of room for all the animals. However, that means a ton of walking. I was quite tuckered out by the end of the day. Some of the highlights: the otters, the bird that followed us in the aviary (Gabe is really into birds right now so he was delighted), the funny baboons, and the perrrrfect weather. The boys were happy almost the whole time, and Carina was so cooperative, sleeping in the stroller most of the time.

After wearing outselves out at the zoo, we went to our hotel. Even though it is short trip to Asheboro, we decided to take advantage of Chad's hotel points and got a room for the night to make it more of an outing. We went to Golden Corral for dinner. It has been years since I have been to one, and I have to say, the best part is having so many dessert options. I must have tried about 10 different desserts. The kids had a really good time too. They think buffets are the coolest thing. I thought of my niece as I watched Ollie eat a bowl of gummy bears with a spoon. After we got back to the hotel Chad took the kids for a swim. We got up in the morning, took full advantage of the free breakfast, and then Chad took the kids for another swim and we headed home. It was a great little getaway.

The ostrich made a quick move as I was taking this picture, freaking Ollie out.

Sometime in the future, I hope to have more entertaining blog posts-not just updates with pictures- but for now, this will have to do!

Sunday with the girls

Third Quarter Report Card

Colin came home from school with a great report card, so we decided to celebrate. We swung by Harris Teeter for their $5 foot longs and some other goodies and then went to the park for a picnic.

Just so you know, Chad and I are all for giving our kids incentives to do well in school :o)

For your viewing pleasure

Chad's favorite picture of his "girlfriend."

How is Ollie handling it?

Colin's Birthday

Our Colin turned 8 last weekend. Can you believe it? It seems like he was just starting kindergarten. Of all the milestones in my life this year - turning 30, celebrating 10 years of marriage, having a fourth child - this one makes me feel the oldest, the most serious. A child turning eight, which we believe is the age of accountability. It makes me examine my life in a way that the other milestones don't quite. If my life isn't what I want it to be now, when will it be? Am I creating the home that I want to? Am I teaching my kids the things that I feel are most important? Where are my priorities?

To Colin, of course, the day was about fun. I wasn't up to doing a big birthday party for him, so we tried to keep it simple, but he ended up getting a lot of little celebrations anyway. We brought cupcakes for his class on Thursday, since there was no school on Friday. On Friday Chad took him bowling with Gabe, his cousins Santiago and Evan, and his good friend Maya. On Saturday he had an ice cream party for piano in the morning, and from there he went straight to soccer, where he also brought cupcakes. Then when he got home, Granny stopped by and took him shopping for a birthday gift. By the time he blew out his candles that night, he didn't even feel like eating his cake, he had been partying so hard. So despite keeping it simple, he declared it to be, "like, the best birthday ever."

Day 7, Thursday March 31

All dressed up to take birthday cupcakes to Colin at school.

Day 6, Wednesday March 30

Chicken pot-pie, homemade mac' and cheese, chili and cornbread, the best pecan bars I have ever had, ice cream, lots of flowers, cards in the mail,

and a husband who does everything.

(Thank you, everyone)

I feel a little spoiled, but also I think every new mom should be treated this way!

Day 5, Tuesday March 29

The first day of sun! Time for a walk.

Day 4, Monday March 28

After a trip to check in with with midwife. 7 lbs 9 oz...almost back to birth weight.