Ayla's 2 year appointment

Yes, Ayla turned 2 a month ago. But I forgot about her appointment. So they sent me a letter threatening to kick me out of their practice if I continued with my irresponsible behavior. And of course, I rescheduled for today...when there was no school and I had to bring the other antsy children with me.
My irresponsible side flared up and I seriously considered skipping it, but I was scared of getting kicked out for good. And I love our pediatrician. So we went. And Ayla is 23 pounds. REALLY? Brigg and Lani were both 23 pounds by the time they were 1! She's a peanut. But we do love her.
She got 2 shots and a blood draw to check for anemia and lead. She did great. She was fairly crabby by the time it was all over because is was well past her bedtime. But we made a quick stop by a gym so Brigg could run around and get some of his energy released. He's happy.
Ayla's napping now. She's happy.
Lani and I are playing games and eating brownies and splitting a Coke. We're happy.

I've been waiting all week to prepare this Crescent Chicken recipe, too. Which is super exciting. I found it on Meg's blog. She's kind of a blog celebrity. :)
But I'm lucky enough to have met her in real life... through our mutual love of water and Pam. And she's even better in person. We found out we kind of like lots of the same things....coffee and photography and margaritas and U2 and color. She's fun. I loved her the moment I read her blog the first time and I love her even more now. I'll be thinking about her as we get supper prepared tonight.

Off to finish up a heated game of Operation. Oh joy...

Day 2

Home again today.
Put the kids to bed early last night...hopefully it makes for a better morning this morning.
Stayed up late to make snack for Lani to take today...it was her snack day.
Looks like we'll be munching on monster cookies today!
I'm going to continue doing those random chores that rarely get done around the house.
There is no word for how cold it is outside.
Cold just doesn't cut it.
Bitter isn't even close.
But it's pretty and sunny out there, so it's fairly deceiving.
Here's to Day 2 stuck in the house!

Snow Day

Kids stayed up a little too late last night...making for a lot of bickering this morning.
They bundled up and went outside for about a half hour before they came in complaining for frost bite or something. :)
I put Ayla to work. Hey, she's got to earn her keep, too...

And I am still in my pajamas (no big shocker there).
I've been focusing on clothes today.
Washing, drying and putting them away.
And in between doing a major overhaul of my wardrobe.
Really, I have like 10 outfits I wear...and that includes all 4 seasons.
It's ridiculous the amount of clothes I keep.
Still have some from freshman year of college...and no, they do not come anywhere NEAR fitting.
I do love cleaning out though. And there's lots of that to be done.
We have our eye on a house.
It is small.
And our stuff will not fit in there.
So better to do this now instead of in the middle of a move.
Feeling productive today, better not stop.

School is officially closed tomorrow...

Of course.
Just got word thru text. (I signed up for this thing the texts me when school is out early, or starting late or cancelled. love it!)
Anyway, we've had a decent night.
Ate a yummy supper. I made brownies with melted Andes chips for frosting with ice cream on the side. We ate them while we played UNO and Paul and I drank our wine.
My right ankle is killing me. I injured it when I fell earlier. But I think the wine is helping to ease the pain. :)
And now it's a movie in our room. Kids are sleeping on the mattress on the floor. We're making the best of it tonight. And tomorrow we'll have a full day stuck inside. We'll see how that goes.
Goodnight to all. Stay warm. And apparently we need to listen for thunder and watch for falling limbs according to www.weather.com
:)Ah yes, winter in Iowa....

so they say a blizzard is on its way...

and i kinda believe it.
we have already gotten quite a bit of snow and it's coming down pretty steady. the big storm hasn't even arrived yet.
here's the thing...i kind of like this stuff. especially in december. now if this happens in march, i'm ready to move far far away. but i would miss these snow days.
this morning i went serious grocery shopping. the shelves were pretty bare. apparently there are others out there who were more prepared than i.
i was hungry while i was shopping...so i may have overbought a bit.
then ayla and i called paul to see if he'd want to meet for an early lunch. i figure we won't be getting out much over the next few days.
he obliged.
i got a text saying school was getting out 2 hours early on the way to meet him.
the snow started falling at this point...huge flakes.
we had a yummy lunch overlooking the river and watching the snow fall. i took ayla to the potty 3 times. for real. what is it about elly's downtown? the restroom is on the second floor and i have to run the stairs each time i take my kids to the bathroom. they need to go at least twice everytime we are there.
(and no, i'm not stupid. i do realize they are playing me. that's ok. i can use the exercise.)
after lunch and our 3rd trip to the restroom, we decided to visit a new place downtown called wine nutz. they donated to our silent auction and i was excited to see the place. plus, i also know that wine will be important if we're snowed in with the kids for the next 3 days. :) wanted to make sure we were stocked.
by the time i got home with groceries and wine, it was time to go get the kids.
i remember those early out days as a kid.
and i had a similar feeling today...almost giddy.
they are fully aware school is most likely going to be cancelled tomorrow, too.
they are all bundled up and currently outside playing in the snow while they can. it's supposed to get extremely windy and cold in the coming hours.
i'm heading to the kitchen to bake bread.
pork chops, potatoes, homemade bread and wine tonight for supper.
and i think we'll end the night with a family slumber party in our room.
i truly love snow days. i am an iowa girl at heart.
(and remind me how excited i was about this in 3 days when i'm ready to lose my mind from being couped up in the house forever!)

And it's DONE.

whew!
just taped on my last shipping label.
31 packages will go out tomorrow.
it wasn't too bad tonight!
jody was a packing fool. she got on a roll and didn't stop.
once she was gone, it wasn't too bad to just print off labels and tape them on.
i'm not sure if i've mentioned this or not, but the etsy shop total is sitting at right about $9000 right now.
amazing.
and i have no doubt we will pass that $10,000 mark before christmas.
can you believe that?
so honored to be a small part of this huge movement!!
click on the etsy button on my sidebar to check out what's left!! new things are still be added often!

Super frustrating...

tomorrow my biggest etsy shipment yet will go out.
over 30 packages.
i bribed jody with candy and coffee and she willingly came over to help me package.
i was all set up and ready for her arrival.
i had the assembly line in place.
all packaging materials will placed within arms length.
coffee was hot and peppermint mocha was set by the pot.
kids were in bed.
mozart was playing over the baby monitor.
it was as peaceful as it could get around here.
jody started packaging.
i went to paypal to start printing shipping labels.
they were down...for like the first time in paypal history or something.
SO SO SO frustrating.
i'm getting slightly nervous about this holiday shipping stuff.
i don't want to mess up anyone's order or not get it to them in time for their gift exchange, etc.
i feel a sense of responsibility...and i'm not super good with responsibility.
so i have had to stay very focused and force myself to stay on top of this etsy madness.
and then paypal goes down?!?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
so we packaged everything and jody left.
and now...at 11:45pm...paypal is back up and running.
so i'll be printing labels and taping them on for the next hour or 2.
thank goodness for coffee...

Before bedtime...

You can see the clock in the living room.
It was a half hour before bedtime.
I love it when we're winding down for the day.
(or at least they are. i'm usually just getting started.)

I got a feelin'...

THAT TONIGHT'S GONNA BE A GOOD NIGHT!

What is the deal with that song? Why does is make this fat old lady jump around like she's 10 years old?
I have no idea why...but it does.
Macy sent Lani a mix CD for her birthday and I play it everyday and I never get sick of that song.
Weird.
Just though I'd share....

Feeling lucky?

This week there is a coffee and water raffle going on at Jody's blog.
Lots of items to be won...and just $5 for a raffle ticket.
Just go HERE and donate and then head over to Jody's blog and leave a comment on THIS POST.
I kinda hope you don't win though...I'm wanting to get at least one of these baskets!!

How my brain works...

My sister-in-law called this morning.
She said, "Hey, are you shopping?"
And I thought to myself, "No. WHY would I be shopping?!? I HATE shopping!"
And then I remembered it was December 4th and I still hadn't gotten a single gift for anyone in my family.
Oh yeah.
I blogged that.
That's why she asked.
I truly think I have ADD. Or possibly I am getting old. I had already moved on to something else other than my holiday freak out.
So she brought me back to reality and I sat down and made a detailed list.
Then I sat down in front of my computer and began shopping.
This is what I love about holiday shopping in 2009...I'm pretty sure I don't have to leave my house. I'm nearly done.
Seriously.
One day...on my couch in my living room.
Love it.

In other news...I have a canker sore on the underside of my tongue. Ick. It hurts to talk and eat. So I going to try and see if coffee with peppermint mocha creamer alone can sustain a stay-at-home mother of three for a week.
So far, so good.

Etsy shop is clearing out fairly quickly today. Could be my biggest selling day thus far. Lots of items flying off the...well...the computer? The shop screen? I don't know what you'd call it.
But that makes for a busy mommy of 3 this weekend.
Honestly, we are closing in on building TWO wells with etsy shop money. Yes, that is TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.
Nuts.
I cannot even believe that.
Makes all that packaging in the wee hours of the morning worth it!
I've added some new items though and you may want to check it out before it's all cleared out. If you want your items to be guaranteed to arrive by christmas eve, you need to have your order in by DECEMBER 17. Pretty sure I can't cut it any closer than that.
So go SHOP. It's so fun to shop from your living room.
Trust me.
I'm a professional after today!

Just realizing...

22 days til christmas.
and actually, it's 20 days until i need to have ALL my shopping complete.
oh my.
i'm kind of freaking.
i have NOT planned ahead this year.
we are arguing tonight about what to get brigg...can't agree on something.
8 year old boys are hard.
i'm hoping we get ayla's gift going this weekend. i'll post about it if we do.
and i'm not sure what to get lani. she's pretty easy, but i haven't thought to hard about it yet.
i hate shopping, too.
under normal circumstances i hate shopping and i REALLY hate it under pressure.
so there you have it. holiday panic in the burback household.
that's all i have for tonight...

Amy the artist...

I've been calling Amy an artist for a long time.
But just recently she admitted it.
(why would you ever NOT admit it...i'd be shouting it from the mountaintops if i could create and paint!)
Anyway, she is not only an artist....she is also a mommy.
To five.
SOON TO BE 6!
And she painted this picture of her and her daughter in Ethiopia...

Some smart people got wind of this and suggested she sell these as an adoption fundraiser!
Fun!
So she has started a blog specifically for selling these paintings and raising money to fund their Ethiopian adoption.
You should go check it out here.
You know you want one...

Is it bad...

...that it's December 2 and we are already planning a summer family camping trip?

World AIDS Day 2009

Today is world AIDS day.
You don't have to look far to find ways you can help.
I have found that if you just allow your eyes to be opened, your heart will soften.
Clean water, the orphan, HIV, AIDS, malaria, foster care, your elderly neighbor....the list goes on and on.
Let your eyes open to something. The rest just follows.
But it's a choice.
And days like World AIDS Day are important. Because we get to make a choice. It's everywhere we look today. Are we going to turn and look the other way? Or will we pause and slow down and really think about what it means to mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters across the world that they cannot get the medication they need to treat this disease.
It's a choice.
Today and the rest of this week, I'm choosing to support this cause.
Today I'm choosing not to turn the other cheek.

Watch!

This is so fun.
While Jody and Dad were in Liberia, they had a camera man with them taking video footage the whole time. He put together this amazing video giving you a glimpse into the lives you are changing. The village chief says it best. Real people. Real change. All because you have chosen to give...

Liberia, 2009. from Water for Christmas on Vimeo.

Sunday night.

It was a pretty great weekend. Lots of family time. We got the tree put up today. Sorted through christmas decorations and wound up with 2 full garbage bags full of "give-aways".
I got on a roll and started sorting through clothes for Ayla. She's currently in an 18-24 month size, so I decided to pull out all the 2Ts we have. Oh my word. Somehow we inherited tub after tub full of size 2T. Please family...no clothes for Ayla for Christmas. Or shoes. Or pajamas. :)
I'll be donating some of that as well.
Paul worked around the house. The kids played and fought and played and fought.
I'm working on getting the etsy shop all caught up tonight, but am thinking I may want to hit a late movie later....we'll see.

My Ayla

Oh Ayla.
Such a little spit fire.
She has been so great lately!
Truly!
I think she is getting better.
Or maybe we are just learning how to deal with her better.

Either way, I can actually relax more with her lately.
She's talking and telling me what she needs.
She doesn't seem so frustrated.
She acts like she's 16.
She just seems like a much older 2 than Brigg and Lani ever did...yet she's just so tiny.

She wants to be a big kid...and she's getting there.
She drinks from a big cup, no longer wears diapers and is sleeping in a big bed.
She doesn't love to be carried when we are out running errands.
She likes to walk like a big girl.

She's such a little smarty pants. She remembers things. She follows directions well.
And she's pretty funny herself. She's hesitant at first with new people, but once she warms up, watch out!
She'll talk talk talk. It's never quiet when she's around. And get her and Brigg together and you have the recipe to put Lani in an insane asylum!

She's growing up.
They are all growing up.
8, 6 and 2.
Just for the record, I'm really loving these ages.
I could hit the pause button for a while right now.
Or at least the slow motion button.
Love them all so very much.

My Brigg

He's a hard one to catch these days.
Always on the go.
He has a hard time sitting still...and keeping calm and quiet.
If he's awake he is moving and talking.
Non-stop.

He's lost 10 teeth.
And the other day he claims he found his first chest hair.
Ha!
Did I mention he's hilarious?!?
Always wanting to get a laugh...he comes by that honestly.

He is a lover of all things active.
Baseball, basketball, soccer, golf, running or just rolling around on the ground.
Doesn't matter as long as he is moving.
He plays every single sport with himself in the backyard.
Sometimes it makes me sad, but usually I think it's great.
He definitely knows how to entertain himself.

And get him in a group of other kids and he'll have a game organized in 5 seconds flat.
He thoroughly enjoys each and every second with other boys.

He still loves to be with us...although if given the choice, he'd choose an overnighter at a friend's house any day of the week.
He loves chaos and noise and activity. So weekends like Thanksgiving are some of his favorite. 10 things going on at once. He loves that. And he did not get that from his Daddy!
I would say he and Ayla tend to have more Stewart blood pumping through their veins and Lani is more Burback.
He's fun and I get him. But there are days that I just wish he would be still. He really needs to learn how to be still.
But I do love this age. I can honestly say that with Brigg, our first born, we have said with each passing year that we love this year even more than the last. When will that end? I'm afraid the magic number is approaching quickly.

My Lani

I think she's grown a full foot in the past few months.
She's doing great these days...such a helper.
We've started giving the big kids more chores and Lani loves it.
She loves being a helper.

She sweeps the floors after supper and helps load the dishwasher.
She loves helping me bake. I think that's her favorite.
But laundry is a close third.
(what's the deal with her?!?!)

Starting in January she is moving up to the next level in gymnastics. She's willing to try anything, but she doesn't love any activity more than just hanging out with us. I don't see her being big into sports, but she really enjoys gymnastics. And for now, I am so happy about that. No recitals or costumes or make-up or pictures. It's nice for this mom. Who knows what she'll want to do in the upcoming years, but for now I'm loving right where she's at.

School is going great for her. She loves going. She was even sad about having such a long weekend. She's really getting into reading those beginner books. She is recognizing more and more words.
She was so excited about water weekend. She even attended a couple meetings with me and helped get things up to the 3rd floor of the Redstone building for the Davenport event.

She's just getting so very old.
And so fun to be with.
So excited to see how she grows and matures in the years to come.

Hadley

Before Drew was born, she seemed so so tiny.
Not so much anymore.
But just as adorable...

Back to liiiiife....Back to re-al-i-ty

Sorry...sometimes I live my life through song.
Did you read that title in song format?
Good.

I might be losing it. :)
Everyone is gone. And now we go back to real life.
No newborn babies around.
No infants around.
No nanas around.
No brother and sister-in-laws around.
And fortunately, a lot less food in the fridge.

I feel like this is the first time I've been fully submerged in my normal life for nearly 3 weeks.
It was a gorgeous day today. Paul worked outside. Kids played outside for a while. Ayla took a really long nap and while she did that I took the kids to a movie. We got home and played dominoes and ate leftovers. And now we are heading out to church.

Feeling good. Loved having a newborn in the house, but really confirmed that I'm happy with our number of kids just as it is. No longing for another baby. Could not get enough of little Drew, but it wasn't that feeling of wishing I had another of my own. So that's a good thing. :)

It seems like Ayla has grown up SO much over the last couple of months. She transitioned herself into a big-girl bed. (again, this was in no way part of my plan). She's talking like crazy. We are outgrowing all that baby stage and I'm feeling ready for it. It's nice! Feels like we're on the edge of a brand new season of our lives and I'm excited about it.

So thankful.
Just really really thankful for all of it today.
Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all....

Gratitude.

To speak gratitude is curteous and pleasant,
to enact gratitude is generous and noble,
but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.
(Johannes A. Gaertner)

Last ones for tonight...

Great great time spent with family.
So thankful for these people.

Meeting Drew....

This was the first time the kids got to meet their new cousin, Drew.
Brigg was SO happy Drew was a boy.
He met Erin at the door and wanted to hold Drew immediately.
The kids are smitten, no doubt...

WARNING!!!

If you want a baby, but your spouse does not,
OR
if you are considering having another baby, but think maybe you should not,
DO NOT VIEW THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS!
I repeat,
DO NOT VIEW THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS.
Because if you do, your decision will be made.
And your spouse may not be happy.
Just fair warning...

The girls...

When they weren't looking...

Some from today.

Thanksgiving 2009

So what happens when you sleep until 9:00 am?

You become the energizer bunny.
I'm totally wired and it's 1:25am. I don't feel anywhere near ready for bed. I've made:
7 loaves of homemade bread (2 different kinds)
a huge batch of homemade noodles
chicken and noodles (made with the homemade noodles)
pumpkin gooey butter cake
strawberry pretzel jello dessert
a big pot of chili
a chocolate pie
and a couple bacardi limon and sprites! :)
whew.
it's been a busy, but productive day.
paul's mom is here tonight and the rest of his family comes tomorrow.
i'm feeling pretty prepared.
i should sleep until 9 more often...

and her and her and her and her and him, too!

All these people played a role.
And soooo many more.
(i just don't have photos of everyone.)
The whole weekend truly went off without a hitch.
I don't think anything could have gone better.
(but is it bad that i'm glad it's over?)

How much do I love this lady?!?!

i can't even put it in words!
so so thankful for her help this weekend,
but more thankful for her friendship.
wow, i miss her...
(don't we kind of look like sisters in this pic?)
:) sorry pam.

Noodle Making 101

It's one of their favorite things to do.
Noodle making/cutting...

Very helpful...and then I can just take photos.
Love it!

Oh my GOSH!

Slept til 9:00.
Yes... 9:00.
I cannot believe that.
Ayla is still sleeping.
It's a small miracle...or maybe a big miracle.
I feel GOOD. Which is important because I have a busy few days ahead of me. Starting with today. The menus are planned, grocery list is made and we are all rested. Today is grocery shopping and bread and noodle making day. Lani is patiently waiting to get started on that.
It's going to be a good rest of the week.

Breathing a little deeper today...

I'll be honest, I've had a rough couple of days.
But today my breaths are not quite as shallow as they were 24 hours ago. Not quite as quick. I'm feeling some tension releasing from my shoulders. I'm connecting with my kids again. I'm cleaning my house. Who knew I'd ever feel good about cleaning my house? I'm making lists and checking things off. I'm planning for Thanksgiving dinner here with Paul's family. I'm dreaming about what's ahead.
I'm making progress. And that's good.
Cause it's been kinda nuts. And I hate to feel disconnected. It's not easy finding a balance. Allowing my family to take a back seat for a bit while I focus on something outside of our picket fences. That's not easy for me. But I do feel like it's right. They need to see that Paul and I actually live they way we are telling them they should live.
It would be much easier to just preach it. And then revolve our worlds around ourselves.
So I'm feeling better today. My focus has been on our family and our little lives here. And it needs to be right now.
So excited for a 5 day "weekend" with the kids. So excited to celebrate and give thanks for our many many blessings.
Just breathing easier.
Whew.

Why or why won't sleep come to me??

i cannot sleep.
it's killing me. i haven't slept a good, full night's sleep in forever.
i've been laying in bed, tossing and turning and praying.
nope, still no sleep.
so i thought i'd come here and give you an update on my day...because really, i don't know what else to do.
i read a million books to ayla.
i prepared a meal early in the day to throw in the oven for supper.
i laid down with ayla during her nap and snuggled with her and looked in her eyes and giggled. we didn't sleep. but it was nice.
i did a few loads of laundry...even folded them and put some of them in drawers.
i think we all have clean socks and underwear for tomorrow.
my dishes are all clean and put away.
i called brigg's friend's mom and asked if he could sleep over tuesday night...you know, since we missed his birthday party and all.
she obliged.
brigg was happy.
i ate oreos with the kids after school.
i sat with brigg as he practiced piano.
we all ate dinner together.
lani read to me.
i gave them all baths or showers and clipped all 30 fingernails and all 30 toenails.
i blow dried lani and ayla's hair.
i scrubbed the toilet.
and i tucked the kids in bed and scratched their back and kissed and hugged them goodnight.
i rented "The Proposal" for paul and i to watch after the kids went to bed.
we watched it.
it was a good day.
i'm back.
i think everyone was pretty happy about that.