Trunk or Treat

Tonight's church party - the Trunk or Treat. Captain Hook, pirate sidekick Smee, Snow White, and Adam just threw on anything he could find in our Halloween stash. He called himself "Halloween Leftovers". Hey, whatever works last minute.Ashton, Jonah, Audrey, and Capri.Me and my prego friend Bekah. A little less than two weeks and baby will be here! If you can believe it Bekah is having TWINS who will probably show up in January. She's tiny! Lots of fun friends in our ward who all dress up. I love that our church gets super into Halloween. So much fun for the kids and adults. Carving pumpkins Sunday night, and Monday trick-or-treating in Toluca Lake. Halloween candy has officially invaded our house.

Parade

This afternoon was the elementary school Halloween parade and festival. Captain Hook made an appearance, even though it was about 80 degrees on the black top. Thank goodness Jen is here to help, otherwise this way prego mama wouldn't have survived the heat and kid wrangling. With all the wrangling, I at least managed to get a few decent photos. Lucky for us, this Halloween festival didn't end in any tantrums. Much fun had by all.My sweet Snow White was a very patient princess today.

Last Chance to Vote, and Enter the Giveaway!

Ladybug Music is a top 3 finalist for:

"Most Awesome Kids Music Class in LA!"

Please vote by clicking here. Leave a comment saying you voted for Ladybug, and you're entered to win this super cute ladybug umbrella. (Already voted? Have your husband, mom, sister - whoever, vote from their email address this time). Voting ends this weekend. Thanks so much for all your help friends!

My Jenny Is Coming

Adam came home this afternoon and whispered to me, "I kinda wanna take the kids to Chuck-E-Cheese tonight". YES! Please. Tired, pregnant mama can have alone time at home. Is there anything better than time alone in your apartment when you usually share it with two little crazies (about to be three little crazies)? Trying to relax a bit as I've had a brutal pregnancy day. Some days feel easy, days like today make me feel like this little guy is trying to make his way here asap. So tired (despite going to bed at 10pm last night - which is early for me), swollen feet, swollen hands and sore joints that make me feel like I have arthritis or something - ouch! Walking around in a bit of a fog. Pregnancy brain. Somehow got through teaching two music classes with no mistakes. Go me!

In more exciting news, my Jenny is coming!Jen, Adriana, and Maureen - my best girls.

Jen, Adriana, Miles. Best besties.

Jen is coming to stay the weekend and spend Halloween with us. I met Jen sophomore year at Ithaca College and we've been best friends since. Lots of memories with this girl. Hopefully she knows what she's in for, with crazy kids and a crazy 9 month pregnant mom trying to survive Halloween Weekend. It'll be nice to have some girl time (mani/pedis!), and extra hands dropping Tyler at school, making dinner, or carving pumpkins. Blogging might be slow, or maybe not if I'm eager to post Halloween photos. Now off to straighten up a bit, finish laundry, get in pjs, and soak my hands in a bucket of ice while I watch Modern Family and The Middle.

Latest #3 News

An official induction appointment has been set! If baby hasn't come on his own by November 10th, we'll be heading to the hospital that night, and will most likely end up with an 11/11/11 baby! Hoping he'll come on his own terms before then, but if not - an eviction date has been scheduled. Kinda nerve racking, but mostly exciting! Things like this make me realize how much I need to enjoy these next three weeks of sleep.

First Glimpse

Halloween parties started this weekend. First one yesterday at Audrey's preschool. It was hot, and fun, and hot, and ended with Tyler and I both throwing tantrums. But still overall - fun. Here's my Captain Hook and Snow White. Ready to party.Capri also goes to school with Audrey. How lovely are these two? So sweet.

First party down, more to come this week. Love Halloween!

End of the Week

Ah, Friday again. It's been a nice week because Adam had a lot of time off set. I didn't drop Tyler at school once. Good husband let me get some sleep. This morning was all about me and Audrey. We went to music class, then Tapia Brothers Pumpkin Patch. Met a bunch of friends there, (shhh - don't tell Tyler). Weather was so nice, and it's always great to hang with my LA friends and all our kids. I wasn't the best photographer today, but here's Audrey with her buddy Jonah:We have a busy Saturday ahead, (in a good way). Teaching, Tyler rehearsing with the primary for the program this Sunday, Audrey's preschool Halloween Festival, friends are throwing me a little baby shower. All lots of fun. Audrey and Tyler get to wear their costumes to the festival, so tonight we'll try them on and make sure everything fits. Baking cookies for the festival bake sale. Also made this soup again this week. It's so good! So easy! We added some chopped onion and rotisserie chicken. I love it with fresh lime squeezed on top, avocado, or a little cheese. Go make it if you need something easy during the week. Off to nap while Audrey's napping, Adam is shopping, and Tyler is at a friend's house from school. Tonight we might hit Costco for pizza (yes, I love their pizza), and will grab some extra food to stuff our freezer for whenever baby wants to show.

Happy weekend ahead!

Underwood

Yesterday after school we drove to Underwood Family Farms for playing and pumpkin picking. The weather was gorgeous. Perfect. Thank goodness because if you've been out there you know it can get hot, and I was a little nervous to spend the afternoon sweating at 9 months pregnant - I would've been way cranky. We had a wonderful time. It was quiet, not as crazy as their weekend Pumpkin Festival (which is also a great time - just crowded). We rode the tractor, ran through corn mazes, climbed haystacks, Audrey rode the ponies, we shopped at the farm stand, and picked our pumpkins. Very fun, and very glad we were able to fit the trip in this season. A nice escape from the city for the afternoon.

Baby #3 Update

Saw doc this morning. Here is the latest on baby boy:

He's 5 lbs. 11 oz., (she thinks he'll end up just about 7 lbs.).
Has a ton of hair, (just like Audrey).
Is already head down! YAY!
He was sucking, and sticking his tongue out during the ultrasound.
I'm going to the doc every week now.
I'm at the point in my pregnancy where if I go into labor, they won't have to stop it. Baby can come safely!
As of now he is still nameless. The name debate continues!

There is an end in sight! The very latest I'll be pregnant with little one is the weekend of November 19th (even the 11th or 12th if I want to be induced earlier), but hopefully he'll come on his own before then. Once Halloween is over, I'll be doing everything possible (short of castor oil) to get this guy outta here. Hiking anyone? The Salad? Labor Inducing Cookies? Continuing to run after Tyler and Audrey? All suggestions welcome. Can't wait to meet Tait baby #3.

Remedy

Today after my morning doc appointment, I'm heading out to buy some ingredients for home remedies for this sore throat. How yummy does this homemade Grapefruit Tea look? I think it's gonna be 80 in LA, so maybe tea doesn't sound that great, but on a soar throat it sure does. Check out this list of yummy, soothing home remedies. Found in my inbox this morning.

Sunday Post

Sunday at home in a quiet house. I have a terrible, super-annoying cold. Audrey gave it to me, that little stinker. So stuffed up, from my nose to my ears, out the top of my head it feels. I stayed home from church to have time to rest and be by myself. Adam has choir practice this afternoon, then Christmas caroling practice for three hours tonight. He has a few days off this week, and not only will we squeeze in some pumpkin patch trips, we're also using this time to get ready for baby. Washing his clothes, buying drawers to put them in, bringing the bassinet and infant car seat up from storage. Cleaning it all up. I will be hitting 9 months pregnant this week. Crazy! It's going so fast. There are days I feel totally ready for little guy to show up, other days I am nervous to give birth (how's it gonna go down this time?). Yesterday I said to Adam, "This is our last month of sleep. We need to appreciate it". Even though I know I'll be sleep deprived soon, it's still hard to truly appreciate the sleep I'm getting now. I am ready for my body. I am ready to see this guy - look at him, name him. I can't wait for Tyler and Audrey to meet him. I think they're starting to realize he's actually coming, now that I'm folding little pjs and blankies. Audrey put on about 10 of his bibs at once this morning. Walking around going, "I'm a baby, I'm a baby". Tomorrow I have an ultrasound, so we'll get an idea of how big he is. Going to the doctor every week at this point. Adam and I are trying to squeeze in some dates. Wonderful friends are throwing me a little shower this week. Finding time for a pedicure or massage. Enjoying the Halloween season with the kids, (first school Halloween festival this week). Also realizing it's a hard season to be 9 months pregnant because there's not much stopping me from shoving Halloween snack-size candy bars in my mouth, when no matter what, I'm huge. But I know I'll pay for it later (and I'm so sick of stepping on my doc's scale at this point - ugh!), so everything in moderation, I say. There are a thousand things to volunteer for at both kids' schools, and I've pretty much said no to them all, except bake sales. Baking from the comfort of my own kitchen, I can do. Manning booths for Halloween parties while wrangling two kids 9 months prego? I'll put that off 'til next year. By the time the end-of-the-year parties come along, I'll be up for it, right? With a baby on my hip.

Oh, and please, please vote for Ladybug Music, if you haven't already. It's super fast and easy. It would mean a lot! I know a bunch of you are Ladybug Music fans out there, too. Off to get some rest, and a few things done while the house is empty. Ahhhh.

Halloween Decor

Monday after school Tyler said, "Mom, I think it's time to decorate the house". Meaning for Halloween. We've never decorated the house before, just gotten away with buying and carving pumpkins, or decorating our trunk for the church Trunk or Treat, playing dress up in costumes. Almost 9 months pregnant I was a little overwhelmed, but I also wanna make this holiday fantastic for Tyler and Audrey. Audrey and I hit the dollar store for some inspiration, and this is what we came home with - plus some skeleton garland and cobwebs that I haven't put up yet. Nothing super amazing - but this is what our place looks like so far. For less than $15.

Spooky goblet, perfect for the Skeleton Slime Smoothie we made this afternoon, which consisted of whatever I could find in the fridge/freezer, (frozen mango, strawberries, kefir, fresh spinach, vanilla and pure maple syrup for sweetner). Funny how naming it that made my kids scarf it down. The beginning of our Halloween decor. Not bad for a mama who's usually not good at this sort of thing. We'll see what else we can come up with during the season.

Vote Again!

Ladybug Music is a finalist for Most Awesome Music Classes in Los Angeles. Woo hoo! So here's the part where I ask you to vote again. It's so easy. Just click here, then vote Ladybug Music. Done. Pretty please, thank you so much! (Also, if you go to the Ladybug Music facebook page and "like" us, you can get details on a giveaway). Go Ladybug!

A First

I have to document the very first time Tyler talked to me about a girl at school. Conversation went like this, (last night over homework and coloring):

Tyler: "Mom, there's a girl in my class and she's really pretty".
Me: (eyebrows raised) "Really? What's her name?"
Tyler: "Hold on, I'll tell you after I finish this picture."
I wait while Tyler colors the four frogs on his homework.
Me: "So what's that girl's name?" (Because clearly I must know her name so I can check her out sometime on the Kindergarten playground - or maybe I know her already).
Tyler: "Helena." (Nope, don't know her - but dying to check her out).
Me: "Aw, that's nice."

Who knows if Tyler heard another boy say Helena was pretty. Or even another girl (the other day I was at the playground with the class and overheard a girl in Tyler's class say to her mom, upset, "Mom I'm jealous because Maya is prettier than me". Yikes! Seriously is this what I have to look forward to raising a girl?!). Or maybe Tyler really does think Helena is really pretty. I didn't ask any more questions because obviously I didn't wanna make a big deal of it. That, and I'm in denial that my little boy will ever grow up and think anyone other than his mom and sister are pretty. Like I said, denial.

My first memory of having a crush was third grade - Charlie Turner. But, if memory serves me right, my sister Lauren got busted kissing a boy under a table when she was in Kindergarten! (That's right Lauren, I'm calling you out!). Whatever the age - I know time goes fast raising kids, and before I know it friends and girls will be what's important (as they oftentimes should be). My sweet boy. Seriously, who is speeding up time here? Because it's suddenly going really, really fast. Can I keep Tyler little for as long as possible, please? Sadly I know the answer to that, so in the meantime I'll scour the playground for Helena. Gotta at least check this girl out.

**Update. I did see Helena today. And she is really pretty.

First Pumpkin Patch

Are you ready for the pumpkin patch blog posts? Between now and Halloween there will be a ton, but they're cute, right? And if everyone else's kids are like mine, they love, love, love the pumpkin patches, and pretty much every single thing having to do with Halloween. Even at the grocery store when the cart rolls by the pumpkins, Audrey yells "Pumpkins!!", and points out every Halloween decoration she sees. Saturday night the four of us were finally all able to hang out after a loooong week. Adam and I were exhausted, but we stopped at a pumpkin stand down the street. Tyler and Audrey were so happy. Then dinner at Studio Cafe, and a late night Trader Joe's stop since no one had planned Sunday dinner.

Pumpkin love.

And a petting zoo.They each got to pick out a tiny pumpkin. (Saving the big ones for the bigger patch).

And Audrey suggested picking one out for the baby.Three pumpkins for my three little babes.Guess this officially kicks off the season.

Busy Week!

Man I love Fridays now! (Even though at our house Saturdays are especially busy, too, with both Adam and I working). Slow blogging this week. Sorry my sad Tyler story was at the top of the blog all week. He quickly recovered, and is feeling much better. Another thing we learned was not to make a big deal about the "green lights" or yellow (or if it happens one day - red). It just means you had an off day. It happens. Learn what you need to from the day, and move forward. I think I've been having a lot of yellow days lately, but I'm often a cranky pregnant lady - so that's why.

Highlights of the week:

Playing with our old friends Matias, Nicolas, and Paloma at the park.
Target all by myself!
It rained! So lovely. (Parked five or six blocks from school for Kindergarten drop off, tried to fit Tyler, Audrey, and my pregnant belly under an umbrella. Good times! Picked up umbrellas for the kids that day!).
Tuesday morning, both kids in school, no Ladybug for me. Alone at home. Ahhhh.
My wonderful cleaning lady, Silvia, came and my home is spotless.
Made cookies with the kids (very easy cookies).
Tyler was amazing doing his homework - hardly any complaining, and finished super fast.
Play date with Jude.
Visited my friend Michelle at her new place. Audrey played with Ashton and Jonah. We miss them living down the street soooo much.
Checked on baby brother. He's doing just fine. 34 weeks! Definitely on a countdown over here, and starting to get ready for the little guy.
Speaking of getting ready for baby - Amazon Mom. Maybe I'm the last to know, but it's free to sign up and they give you prime shipping on anything that qualifies (not just baby stuff). They extended mine thru March 2012. Not only have I been shopping for baby, but for me and the kids, too (nursing bras, diaper bag, changing pad, sleep sacks, swaddle blankies, Halloween books for Tyler and Audrey, umbrellas!). Christmas shopping with free two day shipping?! Amazon is my first stop these days. Go sign up!
I wanna make something yummy and seasonal this weekend. Like homemade pumpkin butter, or crock pot applesauce. Maybe I'll try this recipe this time. Smells the house up soooo good. And I still need to make the Maple Syrup Muffins.
Hopefully hitting our first pumpkin stand tomorrow.

Happy Friday. Pizza and movie night for all!

School-Aged Woes

Tyler got "in trouble" for the first time at school today. Poor thing. If you know Tyler at all, you know this doesn't happen much. Might even be the first time. And he was heartbroken. They do this thing in class where they have a 'stop light' under their name, and if they're misbehaving they have to turn their card from green to yellow to red, depending on the offense. When I picked Tyler up from school his teacher told me he was pretending to punch another boy. She asked him to stop, then she asked him to turn his card to yellow and he said no. She wasn't upset with him. She even told me something must've been in the air, because the whole class was a little off. Not trying to get into the whole 'what happened' thing on the blog - but, I later came to find out that this kid was teasing Tyler, saying "you have stinky breath", (stupid five year old boys and their stupid insults!). Can you tell the Mama Bear in me is out? Luckily I know this kid and his family, and I know he's a good kid (one of Tyler's buddies) - they just had a rough day. Tyler was very sad when I picked him up. Scared that he was in trouble. Maybe that Adam or I would be mad at him? Sad that he got a yellow light. He even said, "Mommy I have a whole collection of green lights. I don't want a collection of yellow lights". All I think is, how am I going to survive having a school-aged kid! Oh how your heart aches when some other kid is teasing your kid! Or when your kid comes home from school with a quivering lip! Tyler and I talked about the incident and what he could've done differently. Obviously these things happen to everyone, and I won't be able to protect Tyler, only give him tools to handle it all. It's so hard to let go, and it's just the beginning. Ah! My heart is aching as a mama and I feel for him - but dang, I guess I just have to give him some guidance and let it be. Let him go. At least it's a slow go - but oh so hard some days. A friend of mine once described having a child as "having your heart walk around outside of your body". So true! I have sure felt that way today. Moms of school-aged kids, how do you handle it all?

Meal Plan

Alright people. I am trying to get organized with this whole school/work schedule, being 8 1/2 months prego, and Adam going back to set tomorrow. I figure the only way I will actually cook dinner is to have a plan. Here's the plan:

Monday after Audrey's morning dance class, she and I go to grocery store. Shop for Monday and Tuesday dinner (and anything else we need, milk, bread, fruit, etc.).
Wednesday we have Monday and Tuesday leftovers. (Hopefully there are some).
Thursday I go to the grocery store again after I teach Ladybug. Probably Trader Joe's, since I'll just be shopping for me and the kids - Adam works late Thursday and Friday.
Saturday we fend for ourselves (meaning Adam and I both figure out dinner or go out to eat). Also, Saturday Adam or I shop for Sunday dinner.
Repeat.

So.... tonight I'm meal planning for Monday and Tuesday, which is no fun when I'm nauseous pretty much every evening - but gotta do it! What are you having for dinner this week? Gimme some good ideas (easy, too).

PS - Sorry if this is a completely boring post. Can you tell I use my blog to keep organized?

Happy October

Do yourself a favor and make this cupcake recipe, add mini-chocolate chips. Then maple cream cheese frosting. Candy corn on top. Kids lick the bowl. Mmmmm... perfect and delicious. Pat on the back for the mom who doesn't bake. Even my non-pumpkin loving husband devoured one, (or two). Hello Fall.