d-day

I just talked to the nurse at my OB's office...they scheduled my c-section for December 3 at 7:00am (I have to be there at 5 am!). Woo-HOO! I can't wait to be done with this 'project'. Just 5 weeks from today!

I also got the baby's bedding set today....so stinkin' cute. Very girly. It's much more muted and 'shabby chic' looking in real life. I also don't have the sheet on the crib yet...I don't want it to get dusty. We bought the crib with matching changing table and dresser from our neighbor. I'll take more pictures when I get it all set up and decorated.

bailey's cream pie

I don't know where she got the idea, but Bailey has been fixated on making a pie this past week. But she doesn't like cherry, apple, or blueberry pie. When we went to the store we got the ingredients to make Banana Cream Pie, because I knew she'd like it, and it is really simple. Yesterday, after preschool, Bailey helped me make the pie. She pretty much did it all herself...made the pudding, CUT (with a real paring knife!) the bananas and put it all in the pie shell. She did a really good job and it was really yummy. She was so excited about what she had done, and so proud. She's going to make it again this weekend for "Sunday Bed Snacks" (we get together with all the Wallace's on Sunday nights and exchange treats). She may replace me as the new "Dessert Whisperer" (that's what my sister-in-law dubbed me).

movie night

Sometimes when Brandon is at school, the kids and I have

'movie night' to make the night more fun. We eat dinner and take baths early and then watch a movie. Benson's favorite part is the "pop-pop" (popcorn), he could eat the whole bowl by himself, if Bailey let him. Last Thursday, we watched "Finding Nemo," which Benson had never seen before. Benson loved it, and Bailey was excited to stay up 'late'.

first day of preschool

Today was Bailey's first day at "The Wildcat Den," the CypressWoods High School Early Childhood Program (aka: Lab Preschool). Bailey (and I) have been so excited about starting school for a long time. She goes Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30-11:30. About 10 other kids from our church go there, too. It is a great (and relatively inexpensive!) program, there are about 2 teachers to every 1 child! They get a lot of one-on-one time and learning.

This morning Becky (my sister-in-law) took us to drop off Bailey (I'm not supposed to drive). It was a little hard to leave Bailey there. I can't believe how big she's getting. She was really excited to go, but then when I said I wasn't going in she got a little teary eyed and nervous, until she saw her friend, Ellie, and then she was ready to go (because of tight security at the high school, the teachers/students come out to the car and pick up the kids/bring the kids out to you...I kind of expected them to ask if I "wanted fries with that order" when we pulled up, rolled down the window and asked for Bailey...but it is REALLY nice not to have to unload everyone to take Bailey in.) Anyway, Bailey had a lot of fun and can't wait to go back tomorrow.

look what I did!

So maybe it's a little obsessive-compulsive, but I try to have hair bows that match every outfit for Bailey. All of the sudden her hair bows are all ratty looking, from years of wear and play. I wanted to get her some new ones that were nicer and matched her school outfits. For those of you that don't have little girls, hair bows run about $4 EACH, and I need two (piggy tails) of every color. I could go broke just buying hair bows. I decided to try and make my own. They are just simple bows, not as fancy as some you buy, but they look REALLY cute in piggy tails. I even sewed the clips on the back. All of these hair bows (there are two more sets that aren't in the picture) took me about an hour to make (I can do it while sitting in the recliner and watching TV!) and only $5!! Pretty good, if I do say so myself. :)

the goodness (and cuteness) of grandmas

My kids are completely spoiled by their super talented and festive grandmas!

Exhibit #1:

The sintkin' cutest Halloween outfits, EVER, sewn by Guh Leseberg!

The kids wore these to church yesterday, and were so stinkin' cute! (Benson has decided that he doesn't like his picture taken anymore, and I have to catch him when he's not paying attention. Otherwise he yells, "no,no,no!" at me.)

Exhibit #2:

BOO BUCKETS!

Filled with all sorts of Halloween toys, games, stickers, play dough, etc. Guh Wallace made these for all of the grandkids, and when they opened it up, it was like Christmas. These are so cute and my kids have had so much fun with them.

new 'do

Benson got his first "big boy haircut" on Sunday. Brandon cut his hair with clippers, which was pretty traumatizing. We put Benson in the kitchen sink, so he couldn't move, and he just sat there and bawled while Brandon cut his hair. He did not like the clippers! But he was really good, he cried, but he sat really still (for 19mos old). Brandon did a good job, it is a little (a lot) shorter than I wanted, but it looks cute...a little baby "High and Tight". (Think "Maverick" in "Top Gun".) It's hard to see in pictures, because his hair is so light, and I took this picture right after the haircut...when he was pretty much out of goodwill and cooperation. It makes him look like such a big boy (sniff!).

super pup

Here is Bailey's much anticipated Dalmatian costume. She really wanted to be a Dalmatian for Halloween, and we couldn't find a costume that would fit her. I ended up making her one. She was so excited this morning when she woke up and it was done. She's been worried that I wouldn't make it in time for Isaac's (cousin) 1st B-day party on Friday (costume party). She had to call everyone bright and early and let them know that it was done. She has worn it all day.

I keep forgetting to post this picture...but it is the sweetest thing ever. One morning, about a week ago, when I was feeling especially rotten, Bailey came in excitedly and said that she wanted to be my "big helper" today and she wanted to mop "the crusty floor, because I know it drives you crazy, mom." She was so sweet and thoughtful and did a REALLY good job. She was so proud of herself and so was I.

castro cap

Benson loves to wear "Haaas" (hats). Especially baseball hats. He likes to steal Bailey's and his cousin, Gavin's. He has one that fits him, that Guh L. sent to him, a camo hat. He will wear it all day long. But Brandon says it reminds him of somebody else....Maybe it's the new found attitude...telling us "no, no, no" all day long and shaking his fists at Bailey while he does it. The attitude coupled with the hat makes for one cute little dictator.

the green booger's last ride

I'm a slacker, I know. It's been a crazy couple of weeks. I've been really sick again, this time accompanied by dizziness, near fainting, etc. I won't bore you all with details, but this happened when I was pregnant with Bailey. I was hoping since it didn't happen with Benz, it wouldn't be a problem this time. It must be something about them girl babies. Needless to say, I'm counting down the days until this project is finished...which is tentatively set for December 2 or 3. Until then, I'm grounded at home on days I don't feel good, and thank heavens for my mother-in-law. Warden, I promise to take really good care of you when you are old and feeble. And my Sister-in-laws...I promise to take really good care of you guys and take your kids when you are pregnant the next time. You ladies have all been life savers and I'm so lucky to have you. I can't say thank-you enough.

To add to the madness, Brandon's car (1997 Green Honda Civic), which I not-so-affectionately named "The Green Booger" (thanks, Sarah!) started acting up again. This car has been a thorn in my side since about 2 months after we bought it (2.5 years ago). It has never been dependable, and we have put more money into than we paid for it. During the last two weeks, it was in and out of the shop 3 times. The last straw was that The Green Booger died on the middle of Hwy 290 (the worst in Houston) during rush hour, while Brandon was on his way back to work. He made it to work, but then got a ride home from the tow truck. With everything going on and Brandon back in school, we said enough was enough, and went and bought a brand-new (our first NEW car, ever!) 2008 Hyundai Elantra for Brandon. He really likes it, and we are SO glad to have 2 good, reliable cars! (by the way...you pronounce Hyundai, like SUNDAY)