The Daily Hailey

I just realized I never told you guys about the bbq that Dekker’s school held for all of the families last week!

I love Dekker’s school. Its the same elementary school that I attended as a kid, and some of my teachers are even still there, which I LOVE! In the beginning of the school year, there is a big welcome breakfast, where we enjoy pancakes and ham all together. Now, towards the end of the year, they put on a bbq, with hot dogs and freezies. Its so fun, and even though both meals are mass produced, they’re actually really yummy!

So as I said, last week was the BBQ. last year, Solly was so much littler. I wore him in a carrier on my back and he was just the cutest, most cooperative little dude. Everyone was MUCH more independent this year.

We got there near the beginning of the supper, and snagged six hot dogs off of the first table. The kids all carried theirs over to the table with the condiments on it and waited while we dressed them up. Not Solly, though. He just chomped right into it. While we loaded up five of the six hot dogs with ketchup and mustard, Solly managed to grab himself a cup of juice and pour it all over the gym floor. Sigh. Like we had been there less than five minutes. But he looked so matter of fact about it. Like, we were all busy, so he got his own drink. So that sucked, but someone rushed over within seconds with a big garbage can and an armload of paper towels and solved the problem. Thanks for the speedy, non-judgemental recovery!!

Because we are who we are, we parked our crew over against a wall in the gym and I made my way back over to the table and grabbed a few cups of juice for everyone to share. We don’t need six of everything! They were fine to share, and both Dekker and Laela loved trotting back across the gym to refill the cups.

I am SO thankful for one particular staff member who hung out at the hot dog table I frequented, because while I am SO proud of my family, it was somewhat embarrassing just how often I ventured back over there for yet another hot dog. She was so funny, and a great sport about it. At one point, she reassured me that I needed to feed that baby in my belly, to which I replied by confirming that it was not just me eating all of these hot dogs. I was nervous for a second there. I believe our family packed away 15 hot dogs. Fun fact. Three of those went into Solly. Gross, I know. But as they kept eating and being done and changing their minds and wanting more, it became more of a game where I’d go get one for someone, put condiments on it, and bring it back just in time for someone else to want one. It was an ongoing up and down, but the kids were totally happy and very well fed.

We all ate our body weight in hot dogs and then everyone wailed the entire trip back to the van, because thats so often how it goes, lol! Anyone else?? We were quite the spectacle, but at least everyone was full!

I think we’re hot dogged out for a while…

I want to say that its not been an especially nutty day around here, except for the fact that I full on FORGOT to blog until right now! I napped through nap time, which is often when I settle in to blog, and we’ve been going since everyone woke up. I’m fully out of breath and have been for about a half hour, and I’ve got say, my attempt to relax and blog for a minute, reclined in bed, is not helping my breathing get easier. Whew! A quick rundown of the day goes like this!

Brady had to work this morning, which sucked, but happens from time to time. He got to work in the new show home, which is great and important and prestigious, but is also a bit of a pain in the butt because it gets to defy almost all of the rules and no one really gets to complain. So today, Brady HAD to be there. So he was, but was home before it was time for lunch.

I was so so tired for whatever reason, and once he and I had eaten lunch, I started to doze in and out. He left me to it, and woke me up when everyone else was up and ready for some errands.

I feel like I’m ALWAYS saying that we went to run errands, but food just doesn’t last too long around here. We had less than a jug of milk left, and it was our skim milk, not the kids milk. We had been out of bananas for a while already, and almost out of a ton of other things. It was time. The kids were happy to get out, too.

We hit Costco and Superstore, and filled up our van with all of the necessities. We officially became a family who buys FIVE jugs of milk at a time today. I can’t even believe it. We’ve been a “four jugs of milk” family for a while but the kids easily finish their two jugs before we finish ours. Now that we have the luxury of a second fridge, we can justify buying more to last longer! Woot!!!

We grabbed some quick drive-thru supper and headed over to drop in on my brother and his family for a few minutes. We made it home shortly before bedtime, after another local stop or two that we had forgotten about. We got the kids to bed nice and quick, and unpacked the groceries and got them where they belong. Its felt a bit hectic, but its all done now!

Just in time for music practice! Our “gig” is coming up soon and there is still a lot of practicing we need to get in! Thankfully, we have a handful of songs that don’t require the piano, so Carrie is over and we’re about to go hide in the basement and practice as much as we can. Hopefully the kids will fall asleep to the sweet sounds of improving music 😉 Wish us luck! And come see us play next weekend!!!

To clarify, no, we are not a real band. But we like to think we are…

Are you guys tired of reading my lists yet? Because I’m not! Haha! Seriously, there is no shortage of things to do before our beautiful little morsel comes home. I admit, my confidence is shaken a little recently, with so much loss and struggle around me, but I continue to lay my trust in God and try to keep on living positively, knowing that He has everything under control, and that my kids are actually His kids. So we keep plugging along!

I actually have a list of lists that I’ve been making these days, and while that sounds insane, its helping me feel somewhat together. My lists, and my planner, and a whole lot of iced coffee!

On my island, I have my planner in constant use. I have no idea if I ever updated you guys on what I ended up with in my mad search for THE planner. I actively use an appointment book that breaks my day up into 15 minute increments, and I LOVE it. It is the perfect system for me! If a job needs doing, I can sip it into a slot or two, and that way I will not forget it! Beside that, I have a scratch pad for random notes, which is also used every single day. Lastly, I have an open page on my laptop at all times where I can add all my stuff I cannot forget into my lists.

I have a running list of things I’m waiting to arrive in the mail. I was able to cross something off yesterday, but it wasn’t actually something for me, haha! I did add something to it last night, and will add something else today, but I’ll tell you about that on Monday. But seriously, a person has to know whats coming and when! Beside that, I had a list of things I still need to order. It only has one or two things on it, thank goodness!

I have a “before baby comes” list, which is all over the map. It ranges from installing the car seat and packing the diaper bag to hopefully squeezing in a date night with Brady, to backing up the laptop, to planning food for the kids while we’re at the hospital. Like I said, ALL over the map.

Beyond my “before baby comes” list, I have a “before the baby party” list. In an ideal world, the “before party” list would also be done before baby comes, just so I have less to do in those days between both events. That list is also all over the place. I have a few things to buy, a few things to research, a few jobs to actually do, and then weird “day before” stuff like dumping all the ice out of the freezer so the ice maker makes fresh stuff. Such weird stuff, but if I don’t write it down, it doesn’t exist.

I should be making a hospital bag list while I’m at it… You’d think I’ve done this enough times to know what I need, but if I forget my chapstick, we’re going to have a problem.

I should’ve saved my little brag about Laela from yesterday for today, because she celebrated her last day of preschool this morning!

There is a wind up next week, but today was the FINAL day where each kid got to stand up from, receive a certificate, say what they wanted to be when they grow up, and sing a few songs as a group. It was SO cute!!

Brady took a couple of hours away from work to join the fun, and helped me wrangle the little boys. Too bad Dekker couldn’t come.

My mom also came, but of course I took pictures before she arrived 🙁 Sorry, mom!

Laela felt like a million bucks at the end of the ceremony, and it showed. She had told everyone she wants to be a babysitter when she grows up (that’s handy to know!) and sang the songs better than I’ve ever seen her do! She did awesome!

Straight away afterwards, there was ice cream to be had by all, so we did that as a family, and then Brady waited in line with her to have her “official” grad photo taken!! 💕

She’s been such a surprise to me this year, more shy and reserved than I anticipated, but today, she was MY Laela. The one I know so much better than the shy version she portrays at preschool. She was amped and energetic and silly. She ran circles around the gym with her friends, posed, talked to everyone who talked to her, and even told Rowan he was “rad.” She felt awesome, and so did I, seeing her heart so happy!

Once again, Miss Laela, I am SO proud of you!!! What a pleasure it is to be your mommy!!

Also, you can babysit as soon as the government says its allowed. As SOON as.

My two older kids have been working on their writing. Dekker, because he’s in school and thats an obvious part of learning, and Laela because she wants to and has been seeing Dekker do it. I’m SO thrilled at how far Dekker has come! He has been jumping into every reading level along the way, staying right on par with where they want kids to be in his grade, even skipping a few because its coming naturally! Win! Laela knows SO MUCH going into kindergarten, which is the beauty of her having an older sibling, I’d say 🙂 She is so ready, yet still so little and funny. I hope all of children always write at least some of their letters backwards!

I’m starting with Laela today, because I ALWAYS go in order of age. Today, ladies go first.

I’m not sure what it says at the very top, but she wrote out her alphabet yesterday all on her own, and I’m SO proud of her!!! I think the E is my favorite, lol! The V is a close second. I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t taught her much this year at all. This is ALL her! So considering that, or even not considering that, I think she’s doing an amazing job!! Laela, your kindergarten teacher won’t have any doubts about you 🙂

And to Dekker! Not so much focused on his writing, but what he wrote!

“I went to my eye appointment. I loved my eye drops.”

😭

If you guys have been here long enough, you know what a struggle we went through with Dekker and his eyes. It was small potatoes compared to lots of big picture things, but even small things need dealing on and talking about. The fact that this is what Dekker chose to write about for his homework blew me away. He was very proud, too, of his efforts to spell “appointment.” It was “apoytmint” first, which I LOVED, but he insisted I tell him the correct way to spell it so he could get it perfect. The message just choked me up, though. My little boy is no longer scared of eye appointments. I never pictured we’d reach this point. It felt impossible, but just that it was going to be our reality, and that was ok. Sometimes things are hard! But this is even better!!

Way to go, little smarties!! I’m sure proud of you guys!!!

With Brady being home a bit this week, we have been crushing a handful of small jobs, and it feels SO good!! So to recap…

Yesterday, Brady worked in the morning and was home before lunch. But before he even went to work, he picked up our beautiful new gazebo for the deck!! He assembled the frame, and then tied the canopy on while the kids were eating lunch.

You saw a picture of it yesterday, but here are a few others that are just SO good!!!

While the littler ones napped, Brady took Dekker with him to run some errands. While they were gone, Cher came over to take pictures and chat for a bit. Our photos were successful, as always, and the boys brought back iced coffees for us, because dollar days!!! There errands had been a bit of a bust, but they managed to find a mesh strainer that we needed, and new bulbs for our pot lights, two out of three of which are burned out and have been for quite some time. Win!

The strainer strained our first batch of cold brew of the season. Still haven’t found a second to drink it yet. Sigh. One day.

Beyond those obvious jobs completed, I ordered two playpen mattresses, some sheets for them, and a fold out mattress for this summer at the lake. Last year worked decently well, space wise, but this summer Laela will be without a bed in our little condo set up. So, crisis averted now, thanks to Walmart!

Today has been far busier than yesterday, but once again, in a super productive way! It kicked off with Brady taking Dekker to an eye appointment. He’s stylin’, I know.

Apparently he laughed like crazy while his eyedrops were administered, which has NEVER been the case, but was obviously SO much better than him wailing and panicking. Brady took him to the hospital cafeteria for a treat to celebrate, and to pass the time.

As time passed, however, Dekker’s eyes got more and more sensitive, as happens when they’re dilated, so he wound down a bit. Look at those huge pupils. Dekker looks like a teenager here, to me.

Matchy-matchy boys!!

While they were away, I took Laela to her LAST day of preschool for the year!! She still has a little grad and a wind-up, but the last preschool morning was this morning. She is SO much different than when she started. I sure love her!!

I took a load off while she was away, and Brady made it home just in time to drop Dekker back at school and pick Laela up from preschool. They picked up the mail on their way home, so Laela’s little car seat toy (the coral pineapple teether!) is here, along with this month’s Ipsy! As soon as Brady and Laela were home, the kids started eating lunch and Brady and I made an afternoon plan. It was quickly in place, so we got the kids lunch finished up, dressed the little boys, and headed out to run errands!

We started by picking up an adapter that will let us use our infant car seat in our beautiful new stroller. We had a friend offer us a newer, sturdier car seat, and I think this adapter will work with it, as well. Maybe. So we’ll see!! Whether we get that or not, we have an adapter that currently works, which is a HUGE worry off my plate! And it wasn’t even beastly expensive like the new ones are! Yay for second hand everything. While we were in Martensville, my girl Cher messaged me that she was at Dollarama and had found the elusive baby hangers we couldn’t find the other day, and offered to grab us a stack. Thats another thing off my list! YES!

She saved us a stop, so we booted it into the city from there and bought some printer ink, as well as a handful of hooks to hang up bikes in our garage. Brady and I have been working tirelessly in our garage to get it a bit more organized, and getting these little bikes, trikes, wiggle cars, etc. off the floor would be HUGE. So, bikes hooks.

We made it to my chiropractor just in time for my appointment. Laela had to pee so she came in with me.

We waited a bit and she experienced the Etch A Sketch for the first time. She LOVED it. The receptionist insisted she could bring it into the little exam room with her, so that was a treat, since we usually insist they leave the waiting room stuff in the waiting room. She played patiently through my treatment, and Dr. Mike said for the first time ever, “Keep doing what you’re doing, because its working! You’re in great shape!!” This has NEVER happened! I’m always so broken by the time I go in, and this time, my pelvis was just a little off kilter, but nothing compared to the pain of previous appointments. Win!

On our way home, we hit up OTV and bought some memory cards that we need for cameras, and that was it! We made it home a bit early, and the little boys were fast asleep, so we drove aimlessly around town. It was cute.

We got Dekker from school, and Brady has the kids now in the garage with him while he’s been trying to figure out how to hang ALL the bikes and such. Its a pretty adorable set up, if you ask me!

Our adult bikes and trailer are closed to the overhead door. This is just the little stuff 🙂 The kids are happily playing away, even though they’re in the garage and not on the deck. The deck is SO FUN but Dekker’s eyes are still very dilated and he needs the shade, so its working.

Once I’m done this, I’ll head down to the kitchen and peel and chop up a ton of carrots, because I’m pretty sure we ate all the prepped ones, start supper, and tidy dishes a bit. If I have time, I’d love to hang up all the kids clothes that have been sitting, draped over stuff, without hangers for a few days. Dekker has some homework to do, but we need bedtime to happen on time because we have a music practice at 7:00! Eek! Lol!

These full days feel just crazy, but SO productive! I feel like we’re crushing ALL the little things off of our list! There is obviously more to do, but it feels really good to me to know these things aren’t forgotten! May has been a HUGE month, and while some things are coming to a close and winding down, I think it would be foolish to anticipate June was going to slow down. In fact, I don’t anticipate much slowing down in our life anytime soon! Not for years, likely! These crazy days are going to be normal, likely, and I think thats great 🙂 I’m completely on board!

You know that rewarding feeling of having sore feet and messy hair and a super hungry tummy? Yup. I’m there. I earned that feeling! Brady more than me, but still. WIN!

Six. More. Weeks. Oh my gosh, I can’t even believe it! There is SO much happening in those six weeks, I couldn’t be more thrilled! I feel like JUST the other day, I entered my third trimester. I remember being 29 weeks and feeling like time was MOVING. FINALLY. Now, being 33 weeks along just feels surreal. On one hand, I feel pressed for time all of a sudden, yet in the exact same breath, she still can’t come soon enough. I’d break ALL of my commitments over the next six weeks if I could just have her! (Yes, people, I’m aware that she ideally wouldn’t be born yet 😉 I know we want her full term. I’m just EAGER!)

Size Comparison: A ferret? A 5 lb ferret. Not my favorite mental picture, but ok. I’ll roll with it. Baby Center says a pineapple. I like that WAY better!! 🍍

Appointments: I have one this Friday! I’ll let you know next week how it goes 🙂 I think the only real question I have for them is to ask permission to have someone come along to take pictures. Because that is only fitting for the most well documented pregnancy of all time, right??? I don’t anticipate an issue with it, but I’d hate to have an issue on the day because I neglected to ask. 

How am I feeling emotionally: Its been a weird week in the way of emotions. I mentioned the other day that we have two dresser drawers in our bedroom, waiting to hold Bambina’s clothing, blankets, diapers, etc. One is currently holding some baby stuff we’ve picked up through our losses, and the other holds paperwork and Jamin’s scary little box of cremains. I just don’t know what to do with them. While I KNOW that it is perfectly acceptable and wonderful that we are pregnant again and excited to welcome another life into our family, it sometimes feels really bad 🙁 In this case, I feel pretty sick about moving Jamin’s ashes to make room for stacks and stacks of pink sleepers, flannel blankets, and teeny tiny white socks. I haven’t been able to do it quite yet, but I really want the jobs to start getting done. I combined the drawers into one for the time being, so Bambina has at least one drawer of her stuff, and the other drawer is filled with the memories I’m not sure what to do with. I know that drawer needs to get sorted and reestablished before she comes, but I’ll get there. This just wasn’t the week for it. 

How am I feeling physically: Last night, I slipped getting into the tub. I’m SO careful, but alas, it was bound to happen. I slammed my knee into the tile edge, and wrenched my back HARD. At least it was before the bath and not after, right? So needless to say, not only is my knee super swollen today, but my body is pretty unhappy. Thankfully, this week is less slammed than the recent weeks, and I was planning to hit up my chiropractor anyway, so it couldn’t come at a better time! I also have a super annoying and persistent eye twitch that refuses to quit. I’m sure its partly due to stress, but usually this kind of thing is resolved with a chiro treatment. All the more reason to get there! Beyond that, not much as changed. Reflux is still around, I’m still congested with plugged ears, etc. I don’t anticipate much change in that area until Bambina is born!

Wish Lish/Purchases: I’m SO excited! Baby party invites have arriiiiived!!! Eek! They’re SO pretty and just exactly what I pictured. I’d show you, but then I’d have to kill you 🤷 Because her name is on them. Twice! Besides that, I was gifted a bag of beautiful little baby girl things to add to her adorable little wardrobe. We are so well set up these days <3 Branching off of this, though, I need more kids hangers!! Lol! I bought a TON from Ikea when I was in Edmonton the other weekend and they didn’t even dent my “issue.” Lol! Add that to the wish list! Or just the errand list… I haven’t bit the bullet on anything from the bigger list that I shared last week, but I’m working on it. I’ve made a few decisions finally! So, success.

Pictures: Have you noticed the fresh “day of” pictures recently? Cher has been coming every Monday to take pictures recently, so it would appear that, barring any unforeseen changes, I’ll have a new picture for each series post for the duration of this pregnancy!! If you don’t care about belly pictures, thats completely fine! Just you wait for what comes after the belly pictures!!!

That bumpity bump just keeps getting bigger and bigger… No lie…

It keeps happening!

How are the kids feeling: These kids were just built to have a big family. They make my heart swell on the daily. Even after those really long, trying days when I have my mama doubts and fears, Brady and I always end up discussing how amazing they are, and how grateful we are, and how hard they try, day in and day out! They are exceptional! I will never tire of the cards Dekker makes for her, the pictures that Rowan has started coloring for me and her, and how Laela insists that she will hold Bambina all day, every day. 

Seriously, I am just so excited to add another family member to our group. And so are they! I know many people view a baby as a bit of a shake down, but I feel like when we finally have our baby out and in our arms, things can finally go back to normal!!

Getting to know the baby: We had a big errand day last week, where we shopped Costco, Walmart, and Superstore. Among those things, I got super lost in the hospital trying to visit a friend. Basically, I got my exercise that day! And WOW, the baby did NOT like it! Lol! She’s not so much into the “physical fitness” side of things. Which I’m ok with. She’ll want to be busy soon enough. I hope she just wants to sleep and snuggle for the first little while. I know thats all I’ll want to do! Thats SUCH a good part!

The BEST part of being pregnant: These days, the best part of being pregnant is my children, specifically Dekker, snuggling up with my belly. Most of the time, I get down to his level and hug him tight, but the times that I stay standing, he takes as opportunities to snuggle Bambina. I LOVE this, and will miss it so much when its over. He’ll gently rub my tummy and talk to Bambina. Sometimes he makes jokes to her, or pokes his nose into me. And then he just rests his head there, waiting to feel her. He hasn’t yet felt her move, because attention spans are a thing. I hope she puts on a good show for them still before she’s born! I know they would all get a kick out of her kicks 😉 

Favourite thing: THIS is my favorite thing!!! 😍 

To be fair, I haven’t had the opportunity to use it yet, but I know it will be one of the best things for this summer!! We had absolutely no cover on our deck last year, which was fine, but not ideal. The kids got red and sweaty and overdone very quickly, and this way, Bambina and I can join the fun when the kids want to play outside, and we’ll all be able to enjoy the deck together, whether its sunny or shady.

I often write these series posts all throughout the day, which is handy for a few reasons. It leaves time for my lovely friend to come take pictures and even edit one or two up for me to use. It gives me wiggle room to remember things that I don’t necessarily jot down my first go round. This is my third time sitting down to work on it, and as I lay here, reclined in bed, which I can only do for a short, short time before Bambina’s weight crushes my insides and makes it impossible to breathe, she’s rolling around like a maniac in there, trying to distract me from the task at hand. I’m sure it’ll only be more so that way when she’s on the outside. Which will be in roughly SIX WEEKS!! Somebody pinch me!!

Except don’t, because I’ll cut you 🤨 I mean it. Do not pinch me.

Today has felt a bit crazy to me, though it probably really hasn’t been. Brady and I had breakfast in bed before getting the kids up, fed, and ready for church. We were weirdly ahead of the game and had lots of time to play before it was time to go! Brady and I even started our first big batch of cold brewed coffee, to test our recipe and make sure its yummy enough to be one of the drinks at Bambina’s party this summer. I’ll let you know how it turns out 😉

We got there on time, and everyone sat well for the first few minutes or so, but that was it. I’m sure a handful of you can relate to the challenge of trying to keep kids quiet during church. Its HARD. And today was just not an easy day for it. I think Brady walked Solly out five different times, mostly thanks to Solly demanding Brady’s travel mug, and when upon finally getting it, smacking it into his teeth, face, etc. It wasn’t easy. Church went longer than usual, and we actually ducked out early, which we never do, but it just wasn’t happening, and I knew they wouldn’t calmly sit through communion. Plus, with Solly crying on and off, red faced, chewing his hands (two year molars maybe?) it was just time to get some food moving so naps could start.

Our plan was to have my parents over for waffles for lunch, so we headed home and started right into it. We figured if we had to, we’d just feed the kids the first ones, and the rest of us could eat after. No biggie. But my parents arrived shortly thereafter and we all ate together. We got them down for naps a bit later than usual, but all was well. The nappers all fell asleep in great time (which is sort of unheard of for Laela these days) and mom and I ducked into the city for Costco, since she needed a thing or two, and we had forgotten a handful of things last time we were in.

We moseyed through the big store and chatted, shopped, took advantage of a few sales, and made some plans. I picked up something I wanted to try out for the baby party, and it was SUCH a winner! Guys, its going to be SUCH a yummy party!

While we were driving home, Brady texted that there was some construction going on next door, with lots of loud beeping and such. He was pretty discouraged that naps would end early :/ I tried to reassure him that tomorrow is a holiday and it would be fine. Thankfully, they didn’t wake up immediately, and still all got probably roughly 1.5-2 hours of sleep. Just one left to wake and we’ll head to my parents for supper! This 50 km wind has changed our backyard wiener roast plans, but I think hot dogs are still on the menu, which should please the masses. Some relaxing is whats sounding good to me!

It turned out Brady got yesterday off, and Dekker had school off, too. We took it as an opportunity to head up to the lake! We didn’t know whether it would be slammed busy or completely deserted, based on it being the long weekend.

The kids were SO happy to be heading back to the lake! They were patient with the drive, and sang along to the music while watching out the windows. As the trees got taller and denser, the kids knew we were getting closer. We were pleased to see our little lake town was quiet, hardly populated at all, and ALL the snow was gone!! YES!

I know, they’re super classy 😉

The beach was just GLORIOUS!!!

We fed them some quick lunch in the van before releasing everyone out onto the playground, where they played for a good hour or two.

Lol! A little head bonk for Solly, but he bounced back 😉 Literally and figuratively.

Rowan’s signature move – sitting over on the teeter-totter, waiting for a new friend to come join him.

Aaaaand Solly’s play structure of choice.

We eventually took a little break and went for a walk.

We went down to the pier and spent I don’t even know how long throwing rocks into the water. No lie, I could’ve stayed there until the sun went down. Turns out that little side beach is my happy place, and my kids loving it only made it happier.

We stopped by the bakery and discovered they’re making more menu items already!! So we got the kids some sticky buns and Brady and I ate some pepperoni sticks wrapped in pizza bread. YUM!

We finished our snack and walk up, and decided to head home before everyone broke down. Sometimes its really hard to find that perfect sweet spot, because it feels like such a shame to leave when everyone is doing well, but its worth it when no one screamed the whole way home. I’ll take what I can get. They ALL napped for a chunk of the drive home. But I only have pictures of the ones closest to me in the van, as usual. Sorry, boys in the third row!

We stopped in PA for food. The kids ate McDonalds but Bambina wanted pizza. And yes, I know, I’m only allowed to use that for a liiiiittle bit longer.

We made it home in time to unpack the van and snuggle everyone up on the couch for a few happy music videos before everyone packed it in for the night. For the first time in a while, Brady and I just called it after the kids went down. We’ve been better at getting jobs done after the kids go to bed, and pushing ourselves not to just call it quits like we so often do. But the day had been a full enough. GREAT, but full. We enjoyed a nice long soak in the tub and some snacks and tv before nodding off.

It. Was. Awesome. Thanks again, Waskesiu Lake, for the beautiful day!

I’m realizing that its kind of almost crunch time here! The things we need to order for Bambina need to be ordered SOON! Things that need DOING before she comes need to be done SOON! Yes, I’ve had a few kids, and I am aware of the fact that, really, she needs very little. She needs milk to drink and a place to sleep. Thats really all she needs. And she has those things. But there are a handful of things I’ve had on a list for a while now, and its time to start acquiring those things.

I looked at my list this morning. I shared it with you guys months ago as a wish list, mostly filled with expensive things I didn’t actually need but would make life more convenient. Its cool to see how many of those things have already come into our possession one way or another, and which ones just weren’t worth the money.

For instance, we were gifted a beautiful car seat cover to keep the sun out of Bambina’s eyes, which was on my list! I was able to find a maternity swim top, as well as one that will work postpartum. I got the book I wanted to use as a bit of a guest book for the baby party. A friend let us borrow their rock ’n play, which was something I really wanted to have available, since my babies are historically barfers, and those things are known to be amazing for babies with reflux. Brady just recently bought me the diaper bag I wanted, and we even managed to find a fabulous deal on an amaazing stroller that I NEVER thought I would get!! My mom is on the books for sewing her some beautiful little personalized blankets. We have a good load of cute little clothes now, with very few holes left to fill. We are SO fortunate to be SO prepared!

But, going back to the title of todays post, whats left?

I still need to get a mattress for the playpen. It obviously has a padded board to lay on but its not soft. The little girly has a cradle to sleep in, but our kids outgrow it pretty quick and move to a playpen. So, a playpen mattress. We might even get two so that both she and Solly have a comfier bed for our lake trip.

I still hope to buy some of those menstrual underwear. If ANY of you have tried them, please message me to chat about them! I would love some input about brands and whether they’re worth the price or not. I just can’t help but think they’d save my (literal and figurative) butt this summer.

I was hoping to get a second Baby Brezza (basically a keurig for formula) and a second ubbi diaper pail, both for up in our room for all the midnight diaper changes and feeds, but they’re both solidly expensive items that I can’t justify buying just for convenience. So my eyes are always open but I’m not counting on those things. I’m thankful to have one Brezza in my kitchen and one ubbi in the kids room. They’re both AMAZING!

A 3D ultrasound is off the list :/ I’m too far along now to really see the baby. *holds breath for the next 6-7 weeks*

Whats left for the baby party is mini jars for favours (Oh yeah, there will be a favour! I hope…) itty bitty tongs for the fruit trays, and I need to make her name sign! There is obviously still a decent list of baby party prep but so much of it will be done in the last days leading up to the party, and I’m not going to list it all here. Look for that post once Bambina is home!

I would still like to find a few headbands for the little miss. Some soft ones tho tie in the front, or twist, or something like that. Obviously not a need, but I think I’d be bummed if I didn’t make an effort to get her at least a handful of them.

I’m also still hoping to find her some little stretchy capri pants! I know that seems unimportant, but I had them for Laela when she was a toddler and this many years later, I’m kicking myself for not buying them in an itty bitty size! But seriously, how could I know?? Lol! In all my looking, I can only find full length leggings. Maybe that would be fine with my tall babies…

I need to wash up all of her little clothes, but there is still time for that.

We have to figure out the carseat to stroller issue, and either find a different car seat or an adapter to make it compatible with the stroller. A bit stumped on this one, but we’re working on it.

I have to organize all of my lady postpartum things. Menstrual pads, breast pads, pain meds, etc.

I have to wash/sterilize bottles up and give our Brezza a good wash.

I have to pack my hospital bag, and install the car seat. We have to decide how to configure the kids in the van without anyone having to duck under anyone else’s seat. We did that last time and I know the bigger kids really hated it.

We have two dresser drawers in our room where I plan to store all of Bambina’s blankets, extra sleepers, meds, diapers, etc. while she’s living up with us, and both need a clean out. One has some baby things I’ve bought throughout the last year and a half that I needed to put somewhere, and the other holds some paperwork from Jamin’s passing, and yes, his little box of cremains is in there, too. Straight talk, I have NO idea what to do with those drawers. But they have to be cleaned up and organized. Who wants to bet that’ll be the last thing I get to? 🙋

I’m sure there is more to add to this list, and I’ll probably kick myself later on for missing this and that, but my brain is pretty mushy and undependable these days. 🤷 What do you want from me?? Lol! If YOU can think of something important that I’ve forgotten, PLEASE don’t hesitate to post it in comments or send me a text or a Facebook message. It won’t stress me out, I promise, but rather help me be as organized as possible for the upcoming summer! Big or small, please mention it! Right now, none of this feels too ominous. I think I’ve done/planned more than I haven’t, so that counts for something. The things I’d like to do before she comes are pretty much off the list, because they don’t matter enough. A detailed vehicle? Whatever. Cabinets and dining chairs that are spotless for five seconds? Meh. A complete backup and reload of our laptop? If it fits, I guess. I’m not too worried about those things.

Ready or not, I’m SO excited for her to come 💜