Two Weeks and Toland Christmas

December 14th and two weeks have passed. By the time this posts, Betsy will be almost three weeks old. Sometimes, I just want time to stop.

Charlotte has been more help than I could ever have anticipated. Although, Joseph is enamored with Betsy, Charlotte has been my attentive helper.
The Toland matriarch, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.

I already have a New Year's resolution. Well, actually, two resolutions. Every year, I have a resolution to watch what I say and keep foul language to a minimum. My real New Year's resolution is to take more pictures of my children and family.

On the Night You Were Born

I have always wanted to have a birth story for my children. But alas, my last two stories consisted of, "you wouldn't come out, so my doctor scheduled a day and we took you out." Although, Betsy's story is similar, something funny happened the night before she was born. Our power went out for three hours. Three hours, 5pm to 8:30 pm, just when I was starting to fix dinner, and was in the throws of last minute packing, bathing two children and readying the kids and house for three days without me. For three hours, I ran around like a crazy woman with a lamp strapped to my head. We ordered pizza, and picnicked in the living room with our flashlights and candles. In the dark, nothing but my little head lamp to light the way through bath and bedtime. What a sight! I decided it was just an initiation to motherhood of three young children.
Betsy Jane born November 30. Weighing in at 9 lbs. My smallest of the three babies.

Charlotte meeting Betsy for the first time.
Joe is enamored with his littlest sister. He calls her, "Betsy, the rock star".




Home, day 1 or day 2. I don't remember. I have been trying to keep up with pictures, but time is flying. I made an attempt at a photo for Christmas cards, we'll see how they turn out.

A Teaser

Maybe not a complete tease. Hopefully do a sporadic post tonight.

It's Midnight

Because it is midnight and I must go to work tomorrow, I will keep this brief. The past two months have felt so busy at times. Trying to squeeze in doctors appointments for myself and the kids. All between naps and preschool. If Charlotte misses any type of afternoon nap, everyone suffers. Some doctors appt. I prefer not to take siblings, i.e Charlotte's hearing screen, Joe having his eyes dilated (where he screams and cries and I feel so sad for him that I cry), my glucose tests. Yes, I failed the first screening and had to take the three hour (barf). Drinking 100 grams of sugar condensed into 10 oz. is absolutely the most awful, disgusting thing. I felt nauseated, as if I were way too drunk, but without the fun loopy buzz. I couldn't even read the magazines that I brought to keep me entertained for three hours, because it made me feel even more sick to read the tiny print. Anyway, point being, I am trying to slow down with any obligations that can maybe wait until early next year, and focus on the pregnancy and baby #3. Because, having a third child, it'll be so much easier to get everything done, that I need to. Haha, hehe, oh my...

I want to update more on the chittlin's, because they are changing each and every day (but again, it is late). Young children can overwhelm and exhaust almost any mother. I know this time when they are so young, sweet loving, exerting independence, finding joy in the simplest things, honest, do I need to go on - will not last forever. I will long for the days to sit in the rocking chair, cuddle and read stories. So please, bare with me.
Thursday night, I coordinated the preschool Fall Party at the pumpkin patch. It was a party for 60 families, and totally stressed me out. As I sat outside the tee-pees checking in guests (one of my many jobs), I had some quiet time. And I am such a sap, but I love moments like these. The sun was setting, and you could see a silo and farm on the horizon. Kansas gets such a bad rap. The colors of the sky and corn field, the quiet, and the smell of fresh grass, Kansas is beautiful.

Watching the Grass Grow

Do you believe that? Compared to many, I am not that busy, maybe just tired.?. I guess blogging has fallen to the bottom of my list though. Tonight, I hope to update on the family (pictures included). But you have heard that promise before - here is to hoping. Right now, while the kids are finishing out their naps, and I am finishing out my quiet time, I am going to clean my kitchen (I have said that before, so here is to hoping) and assemble something for dinner. I just bought some new music, I hope it keeps me moving. How many times have I said hope in this short post?

Charlotte's Birthday

Not much to say. I love having parties, I hope people don't mind feeling like sardines in my little house. Just wait until baby #3 moves in.

Cousin Jonah.

The shy birthday girl. I lit the candles in prepartion for singing Happy Birthday, and she eagerly blew them out before we could start singing.

The second time, we sang first, then I lit the candles.

New favorite picture. So pretty.

Uncle Tim, assisting with cake.

A side of Charlotte I don't often see.

By the end of the night the birthday girl was running around, actually stomping around, in her bloomers and new twinkle toe shoes that light up.

On a slightly sad note. Today Charlotte busted her lip when climbing onto a chair (for breakfast) and then falling. She knocked one of her top front teeth loose, and I am a titch worried. I called the dentist, they said to leave it alone and it should "tighten up" but her smile is changed for a while now and it makes me sad. I have been on the verge of tears a lot lately anyway. It doesn't take much to open the flood gates.

I hope to post some more this week. I have a few pics from Joe's first day back to school and the Missouri River Race. In fact we were interviewed by Kathy Quinn of FOX 4 News. Let's just say the camera and I are NOT friends. Blah!

A Quickie

Not that I am the most frequent post-er, but the computer will be out of commision for a week or so, for some housekeeping details.

Summer is nearing its end. The pool is only open one more week, preschool starts in two weeks, and I am nearing gestational week 24. I now refer to the baby and Charlotte as "the girls". I love it.

Two weekends ago when I didn't have to work. David and I took the kids to the City Market. We were out of the car and walking at 0740 in the am. Whew, I was pretty impressed. I hadn't been to the market in years, and it was soooo much fun. Joseph even asked to come back. The only down side is I won't get to come back for quite some time. But, I think I found a new tradition. Downtown Overland Park has a Farmer's Market on Wednesday mornings starting at 0700. Last Wednesday the kids and I got there at 0800. I was very pleased. The produce was yummy, there was a band preparing to play, a small fountain for the kids to play in, a cafe for breakfast and a Farm to Market bread stand. Needless to say, we will be going for the next couple of Wed. So for anyone who reads, and is not working on Wednesday morning, come join us. Just find the old grandfather clock.