It was a big day at our house. After months of waiting and wondering we trudged through the snow to my OB office to determine the sex of the baby! The techinician blurted out the results before I even had a chance to catch my breath...I think I'm STILL in shock 8 hours later! After 2 girls, 2 pink bedrooms, a pink bathroom, tubs of pink and purple dresses and shoes...we will be adding a BOY to our family!! We don't know what in the world we are going to do with him, but we are excited to find out! Both girls screamed, "We're having a boy, we're having a boy" as they ran down the corridor of the office building...followed by A's exclamation of "It's what I've always wanted!" I'd say they are excited!

And for everyone who needs visual proof...













After the appointment we grabbed lunch at my favorite Italian restaurant and headed out to do some shopping for our new little guy! My favorite purchase of the day was this outfit by Zutano that I picked up at a local boutique...couldn't resist those cute puppies!













Off to daydream about boy names, trucks, and airplanes! Time to switch gears!

Space Mud

It really just looks like a bowl of slime. But this slime provided me with 4 hours of uninterrupted play at our house this weekend! And because I feel as a mom it is my duty to pass on any vital information that may provide this type of respite to others...I am sharing the recipe with everyone that I know! I was less than thrilled when A's preschool teacher sent me home with the recipe and several of the ingredients in a little plastic baggie. And I grumbled the whole way to Walmart where I had to spend $8.00 on a giant bottle of white glue. Oh, but the reward!

Ingredients:
2 cups white glue
1 1/2 cups water at room temperature
1 cup hot water
2 1/2 tablespoons Borax (laundry detergent)

1. Combine glue and room temperature water, blend thoroughly.
2. In larger bowl ,combine hot water and borax, stirring until borax is completely dissolved.
3. Slowly pour glue mixture into borax mixture, stirring constantly.

HAVE FUN!

We have success! I had to pry the sparkly silver slippers off of J's feet...she has been wearing them for 4 consecutive days. But when we found these groovy little numbers on the Marshall's clearance rack for $10.00 her little heart sang! Her silver slippers have magically disappeared to that special place where retired shoes go (email me if you'd like to know when I list them on ebay;)). Just had to share our happy find...I'm not sure who likes them more...me or her! And I don't really care as long as her feet are still smiling!

Talking Trash

I don't usually make a habit of airing my "trash" with the world. But today it is a cause for a bit of celebration. OK, not a bit...I need balloons, a cake, and a serious shopping spree! That is my pump...resting peacefully in my trashcan. And I am FREE! I received permission this morning to unplug! They didn't exactly encourage tossing it into the trash (there IS a $5000 fine for not returning it to the medical company)...but I couldn't resist the happy visual image of seeing it sitting lonely at the bottom of the can :) Off to enjoy my day!

The Price of Productivity

The girls and I share a space in our downstairs family room. It's a big space...L-shaped and the perfect spot for hours of play. We keep most of their toys there...the play kitchen, grocery store, puzzles, and their babies. Today they were parents...of lions...kind of strange I know. Their little lions were sick. They had "The Spits". And as a Mom I have to agree with them that that is the worst kind of sick. And so they spent the afternoon taking care of their little lions (remember that Simba and Nala from the Lion King are big at our house right now). I was in the room with them. I heard the little lions crying, the mommies scurrying about to take care of their sick charges. What I didn't realize was WHAT A MESS my children can make while I am busy being productive! I only sat down at my machine for a minute (or hour or two). I guess that's the price I pay!

"Thisters...Thisters"

An 8am phone call from my own sister this morning jolted me from my morning haze. I loves those calls. The unexpected ones that are meant to be "just a quick question" but turn into long conversations while you hurry to brush your children's' teeth and put their socks on for them. My sister is a writer. And I get the privilege of hearing her column before it goes to press. This morning's conversation reminded me just how special "thisters" are. I have two of them...and they are my best friends. When we are visiting together, and the night is wearing on, we always end up singing a lisping rendition of Irving Berlin's song. It is really kind of a strange tradition. But one I cherish...I can only hope that my own two girls will grow up to be best friends too!

Sisters, Sisters

Sisters, sisters
There were never such devoted sisters,
Never had to have a chaperone, no sir,
I’m there to keep my eye on her
Caring, sharing
Every little thing that we are wearing
When a certain gentleman arrived from Rome
She wore the dress, and I stayed home
All kinds of weather, we stick together
The same in the rain and sun
Two different faces, but in tight places
We think and we act as one
Those who’ve seen us
Know that not a thing could come between us
Many men have tried to split us up, but no one can
Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister
And lord help the sister, who comes between me and my man

Happy Feet

Well the morning dawned bright and cold with a temperature hitting only 1 degree. We've still got snow and as we rushed about our morning business of getting A off to school, J appeared in these. Perfect footwear for the frozen tundra don't you think? They don't even fit her. The too narrow design makes her little Flintstones foot pop out the top of the shoe like a muffin waiting for a dollop of frosting. But I was too tired to argue. I asked her if they hurt her feet. Her reply, "Hmmm...not soooo much...but look...my feet are smiling." And with that she curtsied and we were out the door. Wishing you happy feet today too!

New to Ebay

Some of the gals in Ivylane are matching the fun new line that just came out at Gymboree and I have jumped on the bandwagon too! I had a bit of a fetish for rainbows as a little girl (remember my groovy rainbow sweatshirt Mom?)...so when I saw this line I knew exactly how to spend my Gymbucks! And who can resist some denim pieces made to match?!? The skirt and jacket are listed in separate auctions and are being offered as CUSTOMS!

The Bump

A quick snapshot of me at 22 weeks pregnant...for those of you following my pregnancy with rapt attention. Ok, so that may not be anyone...but everyone likes to see "the bump" right? It must be official. The man checking me out at Target this week asked if I wanted to save 10% "for the baby". People are noticing. And people are touching. WHY do people feel the need to reach out and stroke a growing belly? Is it some inborn trait we have as women? Frankly, it freaks me out. The thin tube hanging from my shirt is the line to my infusion pump. The lucky women of my family have been gifted with a condition called Hyperemesis. A fancy term for all day puke your guts out morning sickness. It started at 6 weeks and by Halloween my Dr. had me hooked up with my own McKinley T34 infusion pump. It delivers anti-nausea meds around the clock which would be wonderful if you didn't have to stick a needle in your thigh everyday as a pay-0ff. The GOOD NEWS...if all goes well FRIDAY IS MY LAST DAY! Then I can pull the plug and and stop wearing this ridiculous contraption! And by next week we should know the gender of this little squirming creature! I have an ultrasound scheduled for Wed. morning. We have an entire morning of fun scheduled which includes the apt., lunch out, and some shopping for the baby!

A girl and her NEW room!

A has been waiting as patiently as a 5 year old can for us to finish up on her bedroom project. This used to be our guest room/office...one of my favorite spots in the house. But with #3 on the way and the need for a nursery looming, I offered the spot to A. She jumped at the chance...heck...she has her own bathroom now (what every 5 yr. old girl needs!). So the shopping began. I insisted the cocoa brown walls would have to stay and A picked out some darling horse bedding from The Company Store. A local artisan painted all the furniture for us and it is simply stunning! I love furniture with history and was dreading a trip to the local Furniture Mart...when I happened across this amazing shop right in my own backyard. The owner salvages old furniture pieces, custom paints them, and sells them in a beat up old farmhouse just blocks from my neighborhood. She helped me piece together an entire bedroom suite of girly french country furniture. A was thrilled with the end result...ok...we still have a few finishing touches to see to...but we are almost done! Here she is on her first night in her brand new big girl room with "Fifi" and "Donut" (pictured left to right if you care). Sweet dreams to my sweet baby!

My Princess

I found "my princess" like this yesterday. I wasn't lying when I said she lives in her costumes. After rummaging through her dress up box she decided that it made a better carriage...notice the toy explosion in the background...think the evil stepsisters will clean that up for her??

New Ebay Offerings

Tonight I've listed 2 new sets. Simple designs that I hope show off the beauty of some of my all-time favorite fabrics. It is freezing cold here with icy hard snow on the ground...at least a girl can dream of warmer weather right?!?

Meet the cooper girls...

J is the youngest but don't let her age fool you! She definitely wears the pants in the sibling hierarchy at our house. She is full of spunk, carefree and silly, and can usually be found running through our house in a costume and tiara. Her laugh is contagious and her little voice is so sweet and naughty at the same time, that I am forever trying to decide if I should hug her fiercly or send her to time out. Last week we had a drizzly day. One of those cool winter days where the temperature climbs above freezing and the air is thick with moisture. J was determined to play outside and I couldn't think of a single reason to object. And so we stomped in the puddles that run down the path of our backyard, we laughed, got wet...and I fell in love with my daughter all over again!

A is the big sister. She is quirky and funny, able to understand the complexities of adult conversation, and creative in ways I never knew were possible. Her energetic smile and persistence will win your heart over in about 30 seconds flat. Did I mention she is smart? She runs like Phoebe from Friends and is resigned to being captain of the scholar bowl rather than the first girl chosen for the team in gym class. She is usually a cat. But on occasional days you might find her frolicking through the house as a puppy, horse, or lion (Simba and Nala are big at our house this month!) A spent the afternoon yesterday making Valentine's Day cards for all her favorite people. After about an hour she came downstairs and presented me with the first masterpiece. I was touched that I ranked at the top of the important people in life...until she reminded me the card was really "for the baby!"

A New Beginning....

We have lots going on in our lives these days...with baby #3 on the way and the constant activities of our girls and my business! I've decided it is time to enter the realm of blogging. Stop by to see countless pictures of the girls (sorry I can't help myself), catch up on the random happenings at our house, or to just check out my latest ebay offerings. I'll be back soon!