No More Babies?

This week, Erin started climbing out of her crib.  We made the same decision for her as we did for Elise (granted, Erin started this about 3 mos earlier than Elise did, but we went ahead anyway): we didn't want her falling while climbing out of the crib, so it was toddler bed time.  It didn't really hit me what this meant until I sneaked in later that night to snap a few pics of the big girl in her big bed...no more babies.  My baby is too big for the baby britches: she is a big girl now.

 I immediately ran to Sean and after telling him our baby wasn't a baby anymore, I said "let's have another."  We've had this conversation a few times, and we have both decisively said "no" at different times.  But that night, he hesitated.  And it terrified me!  He did eventually say definitely not right now (which is smart, considering my new entrepreneurial endeavor isn't exactly raking in the money at this point), but it got me to thinking later: why did it terrify me?  Is it the sudden realization I've had while being home with the girls that full-time parenting is HARD?  Was it the fact that we are on a pretty tight budget as we wait for my business to start making money?  Or was it more complicated than any of those things, and a combination of all of them?  Probably.

But at any rate, it certainly was an event that made me stop for a minute and appreciate the two sweet babies I've had the pleasure to raise so far.  It also made me appreciate the other babies I've loved in my life (nephews, niece, family and friends' babies), and the babies yet to come that I'll love--whether they belong to family or friends...or I have one more of my own.

Easter 2014

As good as at got for a pic of the girls dressed up

 Easter 2014 was a good one.  The weather was gorgeous, and it was wonderful to celebrate our Risen Savior!  Sunday, Sean had to work, so it was just the girls and me.  We went to church with Nan, Pop, Mammy, and Link, then joined some more of the family for lunch at Nan and Pop's afterwards.

A Stevens family tradition: pinata!

Nan and Pop with their boys

Mom and I are rarely in pics, so I had to get one of us!

 I am not the smartest about blogging, so moving back a day, we celebrated Easter with MawMaw and PawPaw on Saturday at their house. 

MawMaw with her grandkids

I failed to get pictures of it, but the Easter Bunny visited the night before Easter.  He and Santa Claus both know that firefighters like to see their kids open their gifts, so they visit the night before if the firefighter dads have to work the holidays.  Highlights from Elise's basket included the movie Frozen and a Sleeping Beauty barbie.  Erin got a new baby and a Sesame Street touch phone.  

 

All in all it was a great Easter!

A New Reality

Elise getting her "baby fix" with Claire

 A few weeks ago, we made a BIG decision for our family: I quit my steady paying job in favor of starting my own business.  There were many reasons that went into making this decision, but the main ones were my desire to try something different, and the opportunity to spend more time with my kids.  Last week was my first full week at home (I took a week to just spend time with the kids before starting the new business--more on that on another post.)

Jack trying out the hose with Uncle Sean

My attempt at getting the 4 kids in one pic.

 It was a great adventure of a week.  I spent Monday and Wednesday just hanging with the girls.  Mom and I took them shopping for Easter dresses on Tuesday.  On Thursday I volunteered to watch my niece and nephew while Amanda ran some errands.  Friday, Amanda and I took the girls and Jack to see Uncle Sean at the station and to open swim at Doling Park.  

I was diligent in working with Elise each day on her letters and numbers so we could continue preparing for kindergarten this fall.  I also taught her to tie her shoes, which made both of us proud.  I am going to have to get on that wonderful online pin board to find some other ideas for educational activities that are appropriate for both a 5 year old and an almost-2 year old.  

The weekend brought with it Color Me Rad.  Cara and I participated for the second time this year.  Last year we were better prepared and it was way colder, so we were motivated to run most of it.  This year it was gorgeous, and neither of us had trained, so we just walked it.  It was a good time as always.  I didn't get a good "after" pic of us--the selfie we took didn't do justice to the color we were rocking!

 Sean volunteered for the event, and Hannah snapped this adorable picture of him "to the rescue", helping a kiddo with a skinned knee.  She texted me the pic while Cara and I were walking and it warmed my heart.  He makes me proud!

Catching Up

Ugly Sweaters on New Years Eve

 My dear sweet cousin (HI, CHAD!) pointed out to me that I hadn't updated the blog in a while.  We've been pretty busy, what with the holidays, moving, throwing an awesome Ugly Sweater NYE Party, continuing the remodel on the house, having wisdom teeth surgery, and making the crazy decision to start my own business.  I think that covers the highlights of the last 3 months...

This kid will crawl into anything.

 In February, we took the kids to the fire station to visit Sean.  Link had never been and I think it is safe to say he was thoroughly impressed.  Elise loved showing him around--even though Sean was traveling to a different station than his usual one that day, she acted like she owned the place.  True of most places she visits!

This is just a cute picture of Mammy with her grandkids--she and Link had stopped for a visit when Lacy was working one night.

My kids love licking the spoons/beaters after I make fruit dip.

Dress up with friends!

Aiden <3 br="">

At the end of March the Porters came to visit (the girls played dress up) and the Lees stopped by so Erin and Elise could meet Mr. Aiden. He was a sweetheart the whole time, except when Erin held him. That didn't make him too happy!

I will try to be better about blogging--don't want you to miss out on gems like the pic above, when Erin and her baby sat down on the rug in the kitchen for a snack!

Snow Days

 It's been flat COLD in the Ozarks lately!  My kiddos look stinkin' adorable all bundled up (Erin especially reminds me of the kid off "A Christmas Story") so I've had to take a few pics of them and their snow/ice antics!

 This was at Jack's birthday party.  Rob was showing Jack icicles, and of course Jack immediately wanted one.  Elise followed along, too.  They didn't hold them too long--those suckers were cold! 

 With 8 inches of snow, you kind of HAVE to go out an play in it.  Even if most of your cold weather clothing is still in storage and the storage unit has been locked up tight since snow started falling. 

(Bright move, Jacksons)

 Snow Angels were about the only thing to do in the powdery snow.  It wouldn't pack, so there were no snow balls or snowmen to be built. 

Cold weather brings on cold toes.  Luckily, Larry the Elf knew just what the girls would need to stay warm and toasty in the frigid temps!

Thanksgiving

Elise-age 4 (almost 5!), Link- age 3, Erin-age 16 mos, Mia-age 11 mos

 Stevens Thankgivings are packed full of babies again!  Between my 2, Lacy's and Nick's--and now one on the way for Micah to join us next year--we've got babies again.  Before Elise was born, Lydia was the baby.  Lydia turned 16 this year.  Craziness. 

 Speaking of craziness, I can remember how exciting and wonderful it was to pack Nan and Pop's house full of family each year at Thanksgiving.  It was such a great time of year--and Thanksgiving reigned as my favorite holiday for a very long time.  All the fun of family togetherness without all the stress of presents (this was of course my thought process as an adult--as a kid: bring on the presents :))

It is such a blessing to me to be able to show these little babies how much fun a big family can be!

Our kids are blessed with big families on both sides--the Jacksons are a huge family, too!  Their "main event" is at Christmas--and hopefully I'll remember to charge my camera (I meant to take pics at the Jackson Thanksgiving of Elise, Erin, Jack, and Claire this year, but the camera died!)

"Before" Pics

Living Room/Entrance showing fire place.  It will stay, but a new insert is going in.  New front door, too.

 We closed on our new house in Strafford mid-October.  That weekend, before the work started, I took "before" pictures.  I am sure that after it's all done, I will be so glad I did.  In fact, even though at this point it's only half done, I am glad I did!  We will be removing all wallpaper and painting throughout. 

Kitchen.  We'll be putting in tile, new counter tops, and appliances.

Living Room.  We'll be putting in hardwood. (Elise finds her way into a lot of the "before" pics!)

Hallway will also be hardwood.

Girls bath.  We'll be putting in new tile, vanity top, and light fixture.

Elise's room.  Yes, that is linoleum, in a bedroom.  We'll be putting in a new light fixture and carpet.

Erin's room.  New carpet will be going in and a new light fixture.

Master bedroom.  We'll put in carpet, take down the wallpaper border, and put in a new light fixture.

Master Bath.  Putting in tile, vanity top, new toilet and light fixtures.

Dining room (and laundry room in background, goes out to the garage).  We'll be tiling all and putting in a new light fixture.  New back door, too.

Bonus room was added on later and not done right.  It's going to be converted back to garage space and will house Sean's weight equipment.

Back yard (YAY FOR A FENCE!).  Deck will be redone, and yard will be resowed with seed.  There used to be a pool there.

Front yard.  I am sure Sean has some great landscaping ideas up his sleeves.

If everything goes according to plan, we'll be moved in (with just a few more projects left to do that can be done while we live there) before Christmas!  We are all so excited to officially become Strafford residents!  Miss Erin is even starting her new daycare on Tuesday!