Sisterly love

In preparation for our newest arrival this winter, we knew we had to 'bunk' up the ladies at some point in the near future because their rooms are so small and two real beds can't fit nicely.  However, in the midst of my sleepless nights, I would lay there freaking my freak out at the thought of monkey-climber-no fear-Reese and bunk beds.  Yes, she would be on the bottom bunk but don't think that would stop her from going bat-sh&t crazy on the top.   So I opted for Door #2 and went down the road of one twin bed along the only windowless wall in the room, and the trundle bed perpendicular to that (in a L shape) with only a little bit coming just under another window (it fits with maybe an inch to spare).  Not as attractive but fine for the time being (at least until it becomes legal for us to chain Reese to her bed at night and/or give bunk beds a whirl next spring).   That was the easy part.   We had dabbled in letting the girls fall asleep in the same room before (per their request) and it was always a hyper-talk fest that usually ended with both being put back in their original rooms, alone.    So for the last few weeks, one of us will usually lay down with the girls until they finally 'settle' and are almost asleep.....not a habit I want to keep up.  Last night, Reese was crazy crabby and clingy for me and Ryan had apparently stashed sugar crack under her pillow because that girl was going a mile a minute with no signs of slowing down.  So I walked out.  Told them I loved them, good night and figure it out.  Reese, of course, started sobbing for me and just when I thought I couldn't take anymore of it, I hear Ryan suddenly turn all loving-big-sister and comfort her and say "come on Reesey, I'll sleep with you, it's okay"..... I stood outside the door for a few minutes surely waiting for them to give up and come find us when wouldn't you know, silence ensued.  About an hour later we went up to check on them and the cuties had fallen asleep together in Reese's bed (even sleeping through the flash of my camera) and stayed there all night until they came to wake us this morning.  
Here's hoping bed time only gets easier......have a good weekend!

First day of school

I couldn't love the start of school more....and not for the obvious reasons (a few hours of quiet and back to a formal schedule that benefits everyone) but in my eyes, it's the kick-off to fall (even if it still is 90 degrees outside).  That and pre-season football.   We are baking apple slices on almost a daily basis over in this house, and don't think my fall-scented candles haven't been getting a workout.  Anyway, back to my point - we were lucky enough to get Ryan back in to her old school (after having taken her out when I quit my job, only to have to put her back on a waiting list for a year).  And while I probably wouldn't have elected afternoon pre-K had I been given the choice, I am so thankful it was our only option.   Four days a week Ryan goes to a school she loves and the second we get home from dropping her off, Reese goes down for a nap until I wake her to pick up the little lady again.  Can you say 2.5 hour breather?   It is heavenly and comes just in time as my growing bump is begging for rest and a slowdown.   My mind isn't ready to comprehend the logistics come January....3 kids.  Twice a day.  Four days a week.  Winter weather.   A good problem to have, I know, but a daunting one nonetheless.
Time needs to stand still because the reality of kindergarten is just around the corner and makes me weepy.
Another bonus to fall......finally getting some mums to go in my sad looking flower pots on the front porch.

21 weeks

We've passed the halfway point of numero tres!  We just had our 20 week ultrasound (at 21 weeks, baby was on vacation after all) and all looked good.  We stuck to our guns and didn't succumb to finding out so all guesses are welcome...
Our little nugget with hand next to his/her head:
Can't be bothered with photos, already blocking us out (and/or lamenting the fact that Ryan and Reese await on the other side)...
Self explanatory but precious nonetheless...
At 21 weeks I'm feeling pretty good but I will admit that physically I am slowing down way faster than I did with the other pregnancies.  I blame two people.  Pint-sized people.  Needy, pint-sized people.  No, not Grant.  You can guess who.  R&R would be a hint.  Ironic how a little R&R couldn't be further from the truth:)   Total weight gain is now at 8 pounds and I am happily trying to increase that (bring on dessert!).  Oh yes, heart rate for all you 'boy' fans out there was in the 130s.  Still low. Very unlike the ladies were.
A little scuffle may have occurred before I could touch up the chalk or fix the settings on my camera. Reese may or may not have dropped the chalk board on Ryan's toes and then decided to jump on it while said toes were still trapped.  It was fun.  Take my word for it.  Anywho, one last pic, sans troublemakers and chalk board but with decent camera settings.

The Griswald family photo

Or, like I said yesterday, attempted family photos.  Since we had the whole clan down in Florida, Grant rummaged through the basement to find his old tripod and I quickly learned the art of self-timing on my camera so we could setup a makeshift Annie Liebovitz-like photo shoot.
Our first practice-timer shot (here's hoping Christopher works on the bed head prior to the real deal):
Practice shot - Reese was uber clingly for mom which made for a fun camera setup
The best of about 10 taken (and naturally it would be the one that was somewhat blurry):
Grandma and Grandpa with their babes:
Attempted cousins shot on the walkway to the beach....this one never materialized so outtakes are all you are going to get:)
Typical Reese bolting for the beach, Christopher mid-meltdown and Ryan bored out of her mind:
Hey, kids, great idea...let's all stand on the beach, super cute, and hold hands. Easy, right?
Reese? Head back.
Of course (hands down my favorite pic of the whole trip - this is Reese people)
We've got a crier!
Okay, next, hold hands (screw Christopher, take him away) and walk down the beach....Didn't say drag Reese people!
Finally a little cooperation!
You may run back now (what you don't see is Reese running in the opposite direction which is why Anisten still has her back to us, she's chasing the clown)....
This may surprise you, but we had about as much luck getting a good family shot of the 4 1/2 of us.
Someone clearly snuck these kids some crack just before we began.
Here's hoping your inner Annie Liebovitz is more competent than mine.

Destin

This was our first sojourn down to the St. Louis of the south.  We loaded up the car and made the 13 hour trek last Saturday  (smooth with both girls thanks to numerous DVDs and snacks) - Ryan absolutely lived up to the old 'are we there yet?' adage.  I'm not exaggerating when I tell you she asked every 10 minutes....on the dot....the whole trip down. Even Reese started answering a terse "NO!" when she brought it up.
Reese showing you how to chillax while road-trippin'
The house was AAAAA-mazing. Big props to Grandma and Grandpa for hooking the whole Britt/Stiff/O'Neill clan up in style. We were living large, right on the beach, for a week.
The first two days were rather cloudy/rainy but thanks to my always-Doppler-ready-brother, we would run out at any break in the rain we could find...After that, we lucked out with sunny skies and warm temps.
We quickly learned our children will probably not be competing on Survivor later in life....the sand, the wind, the heat - the little stinkpots preferred the pool and playing inside with their cousins. And by 'playing' I mean cage match fighting for Reese and this guy over any and every toy.
Morning photo ops tended to work best.....only problem being that it was just usually Reese, Christopher, my sister and myself. We were the early risers. The rest did as you should while on vacation...sleep in. Somehow the youngest two and the babe in my belly didn't get the memo.
Classic
sweetness....for a fleeting moment
this is more like it...
Reese became notorious for bolting down the beach if you gave her a milli-second. Big smile on her face, head down, blatantly ignoring the requests to turn around.  It's a wonder she made it back home with us.
watching her run...in not-so-secret happy anticipation she won't return.
Back tomorrow with some family pics....or shall I say, outtakes from numerous attempts to get some family pics.

Pardon our absence...

but we were away all last week doing a bit of this...
As soon as I sift through our 100+ pictures, we'll be back to share more.

Gone with the wind....

Take a lovely Sunday afternoon, your well-worn 'party/princess' dresses and Dad's weekly task of blowing off all the leaves, acorns, and general crapola from the back patio and you get one fun-filled, highly demanded, wind extravaganza.