WHAT?! aka A Surprising Birthday...

So yesterday was my birthday. It's a pretty low-key kind of day that starts out nicely... I left Bayli with her sisters (Daddy was still crashed out upstairs) and went for an amazing massage. Bayli's such a Momma's Girl, so I was a little nervous, but so thrilled to find out that she was a happy, happy camper the whole 90 minutes I was gone. (Thanks Girls!!) I came home, showered, had the world's best pizza for lunch (Extreme Pizza's Peace in the Middle East) and hung with my Baby while my hubby took the big girls birthday shopping. So far a pretty mellow but pleasant day...

We're leaving for dinner when I get a call from my Mom, who's been inaccessible all week on a trip with my Dad. So I'm thrilled to hear from her, but have to run to not miss our dinner reservation (which I've already rescheduled once because Bay was still napping.). She asks where we're going (Biaggi's), several times, 'til finally I just spell it for her. I tell her that I'll call her back after dinner. She asks when that will be, and asks what time we are having cake. More than once. It was a little odd. I start wondering why she cares so much what time we are having cake. I say "Mom, where are you?". She says "At home". Okay. My imagination. I get off the phone and we head out. But I check the Caller ID before we leave - my Mom called from her cell.

In the car, I say "I think my parents might have come out to surprise me for my birthday..." My Mom is acting crazy and the last time she acted like this my brother & sister-in-law were 20 minutes from my house, coming out for a surprise Christmas visit. We talk about it all through dinner. Literally every 90 seconds my hubby looks towards the entrance and says "And there they are!" (Poor Madi was jumping out of her seat with excitement every time...) I call my brother to say "Where's Mom?", knowing that I'd know from the instant of awkward silence, but no answer. I can't help a tiny leap in my heart that he's here too... Mike says "Oh, they came out too!" I say "They're probably at the grocery store". I have to tell my kids not to get their hopes up, that I could be totally wrong, but I'm thinking I know my Mom and she's here...

Long story, I know...

We drive home, looking for my parents. We turn on our street and look towards the house - sure enough, there's my parents' van with the Oregon license plate and my Mom is standing on the curb! As we are pulling up, she jumps in the van and they start driving away! We honk at them, but they keep going, so of course, we follow them! What are they doing? My Dad drives around the block with us behind them, laughing. Mike says "How many people are in the car?". I look - just two. So thrilled that my Mom & Dad would come all this way for my birthday!! So my Dad gives up the chase and pulls up along the curb next to our house. We drive past to pull in the garage when the side door opens and out pops my brother's excited face! I scream & jump out of the car. I'm in tears. Truth be told, it's been a rough week for me. I needed this. I'm so touched that my whole family is here just for my birthday. We all jump out - hugs, laughter, cameras flashing - my family getting a huge kick out of my surprise, my brother documenting the whole thing. So surpised. So happy.

Still more..

Me: Mom, you are not a good liar!

Mom: I didn't lie about anything. I told you we were going on a trip.

Me: Yeah, but I asked you where you were and you said "home".

Mom: I am home.

Me: MY home.

Mom: No, I'm home.

Me (thinking, mi casa, su casa): Okay. That's sweet.

Mom (to Dad): She still doesn't get it.

(to me): We're HOME.

Me: silence

Me: What?

Mom: Honey, we're home.

Me: more silence, brain racing furiously...

You're moving back?

Mom: We've moved.

Me: WHAT??!!

Everyone is laughing at me, Eric is literally videotaping my amazement (after all, this is what he came here for), I am trying to wrap my brain around what I'm hearing...

Here's the scene shortly afterwards...

I still can't believe it! My parents haven't lived here for 17 years. I see things that have made me sad for a long time disappearing - 7 missed recitals, countless birthday parties, quiet Grandparent's Days at school, lots of firsts, girls' days out without Mom... I still can't believe it! In my 38 years so far, the most surprising birthday yet....

Now if I could just get my brother to move here...

Happy Squeester's Day!

My Squeester is the best! In honor of my birthday this week, she took the whole day off work for Squeester's Day. I wanted to see Mamma Mia, but it was showing at bad times, so we had an awesome lunch at the Thai restaurant and played games instead. Four of my most favorite things - Thai food, my Squeester, St. Petersburg and good chocolate. So much fun!

I love my Squeester! She is a great Friend, Squeester's Book Club Member, Board Game Opponent, Scrapbooking Companion, Therapist, Christmas Shopping Partner, Chocolate Connoisseur, Sister-in-Law & Aunt to my lucky girls. Thanks for keeping me sane & making life fun - I really don't know what I'd do without you!

Running with Baby

I can't even believe how difficult it's been to go for a run since my sweet chubby one arrived... I would so love to fit into my pre-Bayli clothes!! I finally got out for a quick run yesterday morning (thanks so much Amy for the stroller). At least Bayli was cooperative - she fell asleep, but then I worried the whole 2 miles that her head was kinked off at a funny angle and that her tiny bare feet were getting sunburned (they didn't)...

She looked so sweet when we got home, I had to take a picture.

Nine-Month Check Up

Here's my sweet Chubby Chubby at her 9-month check-up this morning. She had a lot of fun playing on the examining table - they were so thoughtful to cover it with wonderfully noisy paper for her to play with! I was a little surprised to discover that she's not quite as heavy as she feels, but I guess when you weigh 17 lbs. at 4 months old, you've gotta slow down at some point... :) Poor baby - she also got 2 immunizations today. No fun, but she settled down immediately when I picked her up & nursed her.

Here are her 9-month stats:

19 lbs. 6 oz. (70th %)

27.5 inches (55th %)

18" head circumference (90th %)

3 teeth (1 more coming in)

After all the trauma, Bayli fell asleep in the car on the way home, holding her bottle of baby Tylenol...

Squishy Sleepy Face

Fun for Fall

My girls love it when I bake something for an after-school snack. So yesterday I made a loaf of pumpkin bread - another one of my all-time favorite recipes. It's so yummy & especially great for fall.

Here's the recipe...

Pumpkin Bread

Mix together:
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1/3 c. oil
1/3 c. water
1 c. pumpkin

Add:
2 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. flour (I use half white/half wheat)

Bake in floured loaf pan, 50-60 minutes at 350 degrees.
I usually double the recipe to make two loaves, then I can use a whole can of pumpkin. I also like to chop pecans and sprinkle them on top before I bake it.

Dinner Tonight - Tag

This is in response to a tag from Kareena a long time ago... This is one of my favorite recipes. It's light, healthy & delicious, Mike & I love it and the girls eat it (except Madi but that's a topic for another post...). My sister-in-law Erika made it for us once and now it's one of our favorites. It's best on a chilly night, but Skye & Mike have been asking for it, so made it this morning for dinner tonight (having dinner ready early is the best feeling ever!). I'm so glad I did, because now I have a fussy, teething baby who won't nap and it's looking like that may be the only thing I get done all day...

Anyway, here's the recipe:

White Chicken Chili

1/4 c. butter

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 large onion, chopped

3 c. chicken broth

1 Tbs. dried basil leaves

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

2 Tbs. fresh cilantro

2 tsp. ground red chili powder

4 c. chicken, cubed, uncooked

2 cans great northern beans, undrained

Melt butter over medium heat, add onion & garlic and cook until clear. Add remaining ingredients, heat to boil, then reduce heat & simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

We like it with tortilla chips & shredded monterey jack cheese.

I love new recipes & all my best recipes are tried & true ones I've received from friends & family, so I tag everyone who reads this to post a favorite recipe...

My Dog-Nephew

Today my Squeester saved me the trouble of having to get a puppy by picking up this super-cute & super-sweet 10-month-old Beagle! Isn't he adorable?? Now my kids can play with this one... :)

Welcome to the family Chief!

Climbing Baby

So we were visiting my sister-in-law this afternoon and Bayli crawls over to the stairs. I'm saying that she has never climbed up the stairs before, when she starts crawling up and doesn't stop 'til she gets to the top! She's so funny that way! She did the same thing when she pulled herself up to standing. No learning curve whatsoever - she just goes from never-tried-it to doing-it-perfectly. So I guess I shouldn't be surprised when she suddenly walks across the room one of these days... Now she's got a new way to practice her favorite pasttime - trying to cause herself bodily injury, Aagh!

Nine Month Photo Shoot

It keeps happening - another month goes by and my baby gets bigger & bigger... She's growing up so quickly and I am savoring every minute of her babyhood. Pictures truly don't do justice to her chubby, chubby cuteness & words cannot express the way this tiny one melts my heart.

She's nine months old today - crawling like a wind-up toy, getting into everything, saying Mama, got her 3rd tooth (top left) and today she cracked herself up playing peekaboo with the shower curtain.

First Week Back to School

New shoes, alarm clocks, uniforms, backpacks, lunchboxes, homework, early mornings, new teachers, old friends, new campus...

Madi & Skye started back to school on Thursday - Madi in 4th Grade and Skye in 1st. We are all at a new campus this year, but I am thrilled to have all three of my girls together! Here's some scenes from our first week back...

Goodbye Summer, Hello Jr. High

The blissful lazy days of summer - bare feet, late night Olympics, hanging at the pool, peacefully empty days, sleeping in... It all came screeching to a halt for us today at the insanely early hour of 6:30 am - Ryann's 1st day of Jr. High.

I was mentally prepared - I had all summer to accept the fact that my girl is almost a teenager, growing up too fast & starting Jr. High, and I was okay with all of that, excitedly looking forward to this new stage in her life. Still, I was naively unprepared to see all of the other 7th grade girls suddenly wearing make-up, the equally sudden & obvious absence of parents, or the sight of my tiny daughter walking the hallways with giant adult-sized guys... Does she really belong in this grown-up-looking world??

Kind of scary. I know I'm supposed to simultaneously hold on & let go... I know you are growing up, but you'll always be my Baby... I'm always here for you. I'm so proud of you. Enjoy this fun, new adventure!

1st Day of Jr. High - Ryann & BFF Claire

Chocolate Girls' Night

Ryann is starting Jr. High on Monday (Aagh!!), so I wanted to do something extra special to celebrate the end of summer & the beginning of her big new adventure. Daddy's out of town, so I had to do something girly & took all four girls out for fondue. Ryann & I were the only ones who appreciated the amazingly delicious cheese fondue, but the two different kinds of chocolate fondue disappeared much more quickly...

Happy End of Summer Girlies!!

Sleepover

I can't even believe it!

Skye's friend Olivia was playing here last night when Skylar started begging me to let her sleep over at Livvie's house. She has never spent the night anywhere before (except her aunt's house with her sisters & cousins) and she doesn't really fall asleep quickly or easily, so with Mike out of town, I thought for sure my friend Lisa would be bringing her back home at midnight... But Skye was so excited and Lisa was willing to try it, so I sent her off. She did awesome! No problems at all, no midnight phone calls, no sleepwalking (I should post more on this complete Freak Show another time), no tears - she just went right to sleep and had tons of fun!

She was so proud of herself today! What a big girl!

Way to go Baby!!

Sweet Feet

Every night, I tuck in my sweet baby, all nice & cozy. And every night, she proceeds to kick her chubby little feet out of the covers until they are nicely situated on top.

Don't they get cold??

Her sisters all did the same thing (do all babies do this?..) But I couldn't resist a picture of her sleeping like this & her sweet little chubby feet...

Pure Joy

Oh, how I loved this book!!

I know not everyone has read it, so I won't say anything except that I loved it and think Stephenie Meyer is a genius!! Such a great read!!!

Camping Pictures

Dirt Bikes, S'mores & More Rain

Okay, so it rained almost non-stop, our tent leaked, and it was a bit of a challenge keeping my active baby warm, clean, dry & living... Should I even mention the flat tire with no spare or the van's dead battery??

Lucky for me, I brought along my Resident Mechanic and my helpful Baby-Holders!

Stress & wetness aside, we had a mostly fun weekend camping. It was so nice to get away and relax in the Great Outdoors. We all enjoyed the peace & serenity of being out in nature. The girls loved making s'mores and the convenience to jump on their bikes and ride out from the campsite. Bayli did awesome on her first camping trip! She is such a great baby -she's really happy anywhere, as long as she's got her Mama.

My slideshow is so not cooperative, check it out in a separate post below...

Rainy Week in Review

After our brutal heat wave last week, I wasn't the least bit upset to get a nice, overcast & much cooler one this week! The girls just finished summer dance last Thursday, so we are trying to enjoy the last two weeks of summer & pack in as much fun as possible before they head back to school...

Monday - we packed a lunch & headed to the pool, to discover that the pump room flooded & it was closed! So we had a picnic in the park instead...

Bayli had fun in the baby swing...

Tuesday - Madi went to a 2-hour art camp, while the rest of us got a tour of our new school. All three girls are moving to our school's North Campus this year... Afterwards, we had lunch at our favorite Thai restaurant, then went to the movies... More rain in the afternoon, and the girls played!

Wednesday - On our way to the zoo, a semi was blocking the road. I got tired of waiting and decided it would be fun to stop at Seven Falls to eat our lunch. Ha ha ha. Another long line, 3 grumpy children and $25 later, we discover that you are not allowed to picnic inside the park. So we eat our lunch in the car, and the girls want to leave. But I just paid $25 to get in, so I make them climb the 224 stairs to the top of the falls and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Oddly, it was somewhat less enjoyable for me as they whined, complained & fought with each other the entire time...

We barely made it to the zoo before it closed! Bayli had fun in her cute stroller...

We all loved the zoo's new Sky Ride!

Thursday I woke up with the cold that the girls had... No fun!!

Today we are driving up to the mountains to camp in our hopefully-non-leaking tent for the weekend, head cold & all... We're loading up the dirt bikes and heading out for a fun weekend! (I just hope that we stay dry!)

Yay for Bayli!

Bayli's newest baby trick - she learned to clap today! It was the cutest thing ever! Once she got it, she kept doing it over & over & over. Then she started crawling around just to stop, sit up & clap!

Here's my sweet baby showing off:

More Fun at the Pool

The best way to beat our record-breaking temperatures was to hit the pool yesterday! It made that almost-100-degree day much more bearable!

Bayli liked the water, but had the most fun at most favorite pasttime - foraging for food. She found a giant clod of dirt which she promptly shoved in her mouth. Boy, was that gross!! Other than that, we all had a great day! Thanks to all of our awesome friends for keeping us company!