~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
Well hello there! It feels like ages since I last checked in here. We got hit by the stomach bug again last week — the third time it's run through our family this winter. Is it just me, or does three times seem like an awful lot? This one moved slow, and it took over a week before it had done its worst and we were back on our feet again. I was the last one, and emerged this past weekend thinking to myself, “Whew, that was a rough Lent,” only to look at the calendar and see that it was the Third Sunday of Lent.
Third.
{pretty}
Our sick days last week coincided with our snow days; we got a few rounds of snow and ice that shut things down around here for a day or two. (Which was a blessing, as it made it much easier for Capt. P to take care of the kids while I was down for the count. I do not make a particularly competent enormously pregnant sick mama.) But this week it warmed up again, and we did a little picnicking and pretend-fishing with some friends.
{happy}
This overwhelmingly spectacular picture is of the hooks I finally (Finally! why do some simple little things take so very long?) hung on our coat closet door. Now the kids can reach their own jackets and hang them up again. This little row of hooks has improved my daily life at least fifteen percent.
{funny}
I introduced Pippo to the art of cutting snowflakes last week, and he loved it. Molly did too — she loves all new crafty activities on principle, especially those involving glue or scissors. Then, as soon as I opened up my first snowflake, she immediately commandeered it as a hat.
Obviously.
{real}
This is me and my big belly at 36 weeks (aka, this past Saturday), though I think I mostly took the picture because I was so excited about leaving the house for the first time in 8 days (thanks to the aforementioned bad weather and sickness) that I put on lipstick to go to the grocery store. And then I took an awkward belly selfie in my bedroom mirror.
Every time I think about getting ready for this baby to actually get here, I get the urge to reorganize my entire house, but then something comes up or someone gets sick again, and the nesting gets put off. The one tangible thing we've done to prepare is get Molly a new, narrower car seat, so that we can fit all three kids in the back of the car.
Pretty soon I'm going to pull out the cradle and wash the baby clothes, and I just realized that the changing table is still very much in use in the kids' room both as a changing table and a dresser for Molly, so I have nowhere to put the baby clothes whenever I do get them out. Ideally, I'd get my hands on another dresser before this baby arrives. Need to work on that.
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Laura says
I love that quilt in the first picture – is it handmade?
Stomach bug is the WORST! Especially when you’re pregnant!
Your belly looks like mine – I’m just about 2 weeks ahead of you. All the best!
Rosie says
They’re actually each under a homemade blanket – Pippo’s was made for him by his Aunt Bridget, and Molly’s was a gift from my mom (blogged about here: http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/2013/07/maximum-quilt-cuteness-with-minimum-work/)
Kelly M. says
Pretty sure the days of Lent move slower than any other time of the year.
And I felt the same way once the kids were finally able to reach and thus hang up their own towels in the bathroom. FREEDOM!!
Denise T. says
You have to admit, those snowflake hats are quite dashing! Every girl needs one! Loved all your pictures!!
Annie says
Three bouts of stomach flu is really too much. I am so sorry.
I’ll keep praying for safe arrival– and time to nest beforehand– for the next little babe! Blessings.
Mary says
We used to get the stomach flu whenever we travelled and I started to think it was the restrooms. Once I started making the kids do a surgical scrub with soap from their hands to their elbows and scrub for a good 3-4 minutes we never got it again. I mean never. Either that or we finally developed an immunity.
Kimberlee says
So thankful the bug didn’t send you into pre-term labor! And you look super fabulous! Hope you all stay well for a good long time now.
Rosie says
I know, me too! I was so worried about pre-term labor, having heard of the stomach bug bringing it on, that I was super-diligent about keeping myself hydrated as best I could. I think it must have helped!
Jill Foley says
You look great – here’s to hoping the flu bug stays far away from you and your family for the duration of the sick season! Three times is enough.
Susan says
You’re making me nervous! My third and subsequent children have all been born at 38 weeks 🙂
Rosie says
Well, Pippo arrived a few days shy of a full 40 weeks, and Molly was just past 41. So I admit that I am pretty much assuming we’re looking at more than 38 weeks here. But I’d take it!
Jamie says
I love the coat hooks, and it’s so true, sometimes the simplest improvements or tasks take the longest! I guess they’re the easiest to put off. But it’s nice that your day is at least 15% better 😉
Anne says
You look super cute!!
Mary says
You look great! Look into elderberry syrup for next year…it’s been a huge help for us during the last couple winters! It really does work and spares so much flu and cold misery!
Rosie says
Thanks for the tip – I will definitely check it out! (Honestly, at this point I’d probably try eye of newt if someone said it might help!)
Sheryl Finley says
I agree with Mary! In fact we took that same advice from here last year have stayed healthy since! Amazon.com subscription service, until you can make your own. We use it year round! Nature’s Way Organic Sambucus Elderberry Syrup, 4 Fluid Ounce
$12.82 ($3.21 / Fl Oz) after 5% discount. You look fabulous!
Sheryl Finley says
“from her/Mary”
Maurisa says
Pretend fishing? How fun!
You are adorable at 36 weeks! Hang in there, the end is near!
Jennie says
I don’t think you look awkward. Quote lovely. And, if it’s any consolation, I got ready for my latest arrival approximately 8 days before she was born. 🙂
Glad you’re feeling better, and hope good health carries through the rest of Lent! (Also, maybe have DH wash and change before he starts hugging people? That worked for us.)
Erin says
Rosie, when you say a narrower car seat, what kind in particular are you referring to? God willing, we’ll need to go three across in our Honda this fall, although our 3 year old uses a booster.
Susan says
Not Rosie but we used Sunshine Radian seats for this same reason. They might now be called Diono Radian? Built like tanks and very safe. With a price to prove it, of course, but it was cheaper than a new car.
Rosie says
We have two Diono Radians now (one facing each direction), with plenty of room for our Graco infant seat in our 2005 Honda CRV. (When the baby outgrows the infant seat, we’ll probably get one more and do 3 Dionos acrosss.) They’re about as narrow as you can get, have very high weight and height limits facing in either direction, the kids seem comfortable in them, and as Susan says – they’re built like tanks! And also like Susan, we figure that two or even three expensive car seats are still significantly less than a new car. May as well not spend that money until we have to! 🙂
Sully says
oh gosh, my sister-in-law’s family got the stomach bug BADLY this winter, and it stayed a looong time. my poor niece was sick for a week straight. I hope the third time was the charm for you guys, and it stays away for the rest of the year!