Friday Fill Ins

1. Wouldn't it be easy to take the easy way out?
2. Having a newborn instead of being pregnant makes me feel better than ever!
3. I love the taste of the coffee I brew at home. I miss it.
4. I forsee alot of recovery time in the living room.
5. The first thing we're going to do (when I get home) is give my girls a hug and my mom a big thank you!
6. Drip, drip, drip; isn't as annoying as windshield wipers screeching and scraping.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, tomorrow my plans include relaxing and spending time at home and Sunday, I want to catch up on some DVR'd shows!

Our Three Girls

We are so blessed to have three healthy girls. It just makes me heart swell when I think about it. (design- lifted from Jan. Scrapbooks Etc)

Bennet and Scout are soaking up lots of Grandma time and I am still recovering at the hospital with Ellie. Nick is still fighting a nasty sinus infection but is on the mend. We'll all be together at home soon!

Presenting. . .

Eleanor Margaret Sweeney

9 lbs. 9 oz.

21 1/2 inches long

The Office is Closed

My office (the girls call my scrapbook area my Office) is officially closed for the next couple of weeks. I spent some time today cleaning and organizing. Things are put away. I'm sure I'll be sneaking some moments here and there to scrap Thermos in the near future :)

Nick has been sick since Friday so in between bursts of energy we've been cleaning the house. The girls wanted to help clean yesterday. Man- I wish I could keep this enthusiasm when they're old enough to really help.

TITLE: ver. 4.5

Journaling: This family photo was taken at one of our favorite places- the cabin. It was a specual day for our family. Earlier that day we learned that our family of four was going to become a famly of five. I set up the tripod & caught the moment. A snapshot in time of things to come. May 2009

(I lifted this design from May/June Scrapbooks Etc. - Debbie Hodge)

TITLE: You Make Me Smile

Journaling: UWSP Homecoming. We take advantage of our 'date' time every chance we get. I love you

Design: Sketchy Thursday sketch 1/21. Without intending to I used a BUNCH of manufacturers. Bella Blvd, October Afternoon, Jenni Bowlin, Cosmo Cricket and JilliBean Soup pp. Craziness.

TITLE: Big Fish

TITLE: Hey Mom Wanna Wrestle?

Journaling: You both think that your Mom is a jungle gym. One of our favorite activities at night is a little rough housing.

Pregnant Woman are CRAZY

This is what I know about being pregnant. Not only does this little being take over your belly, body and mind, it takes over the rest of what used to be your normal life.It makes this beer lover tolerate N/A Beer

Pregnant women are CLUMSY. We're always dropping things. At this stage of pregnancy it's a double whammy because bending over is another adventure. I'm not ashamed to admit that I've resorted to using my feet to pushing items together into a pile so I only have to bend over once.

Pregnant women lose their MINDS. I have the memory of a goldfish. I can't tell you how many times I've assumed I told Nick something but in fact it was just in my head. I never actually went audible with it. Now I have to ask, "Did I say this out loud or was it just in my head?"

Pregnant women are EMOTIONAL. I swear I've cried during a certain Folgers commercial every time I've seen it. I've seen it at least 20 times and it's not THAT sappy. I get weepy during the Kelly Clarkson song, "My Life Would Suck Without You" Well- it would. I am misty eyed watching Bennet and Scout play together. I just about lose it when they both want to dance around the living room with me- one little hand in each of mine.

Pregnant women are OBSESSIVE. I've become every woman that irks me. Constantly thinking about going into labor. Oh- what kind of cramp was that? Was that a contraction? Who we would call if it's 3 a.m? What the date means? Blah blah blah. Oh- and I have some weird paranoia about running out of milk. If we have less than 3 gallons in the fridge I get all mental. As if there aren't stores within a mile that carry milk. Right now I have 3 gallons of 1%, a 1/2gallon of Skim, 2 cartons of OJ, Apple Juice AND a gallon of chocolate milk. MOO!!

But most importantly-

Pregnant women are CRAZY! I'm not sure if it's because this is my 3rd baby or what, but this pregnancy has flown by. All of a sudden we're down to mere days. For weeks I've been saying "I'm ready- bring on baby" but now I'm realizing that I'll soon have a newborn. I'll be a mom of 3. Dealing with all those wonderfully exciting and exhausting things associated with having a baby. Middle of the night feedings. Juggling requests from multiple kids at the same time. Trying to keep 3 names straight. Now all of a sudden I'm freaking out a little bit. :) See- CRAZY!

Friday Fills Ins and More Layouts

I have more layouts. I've just been channeling my need to be in a constant state of 'something' into the house and scrapping. Enjoy!

TITLE: Today
Journaling. Today we hung out in comfy clothes. We goofed around on the kitchen floor. We laughed. We were 3 silly girls. Today we lived in the moment.

Yes- I stitched again :)
TITLE: The Sweet Spot
Journaling: Grandma's lap is the place to be. Cabin 08/09


TITLE: Just Dance
Journaling: 400 Block at Concerts on the Square. Barefoot and fancy free. WooHoo Wednesday 07/29/09 You love to spin and dance. The music makes you shake your booty. Pure joy on your face.

I resisted the urge to stitch the pink circles and used my circle cutter instead. Talk about restraint.






1. You have a chance to be whatever you want to be.
2. I'm craving McDonalds french fries right now!
3. There is a always a silver lining. Sometimes you just have to look extra hard to find it.
4. Buy now and pay later. (That's all I can think of)
5. It's time to have a baby.
6. I think our girl name is still somewhat up in the air but we're set on the boy name. 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to movie night, tomorrow my plans include one more deep cleaning of the house. Floors and carpets and Sunday, I want to relax and enjoy our last Sunday as a family of 4.

38 weeks . . . one week to go!

I took this photo this morning. Black really is a slimming color because I look much bigger than this in person. Trust me :)

TITLE: 9 Months
Journaling: One week to go. We're ready. I'm so ready. It has been a wonderful ride with you but now I want to see you, hold you, kiss you & just meet you. Soon. TITLE: One Fine Day
Journaling: A beautiful blue sky, white fluffy clouds, the wind in your hair and the perfect perch on Dad's shoulders. It was one fine day at Helene's Hilltop Orchard. 09/09

A little more complicated of a layout for me but I like how it turned out. I did some handstitching (shocker) inside the clouds in a pale pink.


TITLE: Goon on the Toon
Journaling: Summer 09 touring the Cisco Chain on the toon.

I traced a Scenic Route arrow and then handstitched in a yellow thread.

Attacking the 'Someday' Pile

I've had these photos printed and sitting in my 'ToDo' pile for over a year. ScrapFreak is having a month long crop of sorts called 'Jump Start Your Scrapping 2010' and it's really helping me get some layouts done.

TITLE: Lil Helper
Photos of Bennet from Dec. 2008.

TITLE: Jingle All the Way
It's isn't a perfect shot- a little blurry but I LOVE it! I didn't journal which is rare for me but I think the photo is enough. AND I used pearly bling for the first time. Photo from Christmas 2008.

TITLE: Before I Go

Photos from Aug. 20, 1994 at the Minneapolis Airport.
JOURNALING: August 20, 1994 Katie's 16th birthday and the day I left for Japan. Keepsake photos during my year away from home.

Friday Fill Ins

1. The lesson I learned yesterday was no matter how often you wipe a kids nose there is still more snot.
2. The middle is where friends and family meet.
3. All these years I've wondered why people look inside the Kleenex after they use it.
4. I received a standing ovation when I arrived.
5. The truth is this pregnancy FLEW by!
6. My UWEC friends playing quarters while wearing togas and wreaths on their heads is what I remember most from my wedding day. (Ok- not what I remember most but it just jumped into my head)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging out with Jess, Casie and Kim if I'm feeling better, tomorrow my plans include a whole lotta nuthin' and Sunday, I want to do the same!

The BIG day!

Well- I'm 37 weeks pregnant today AND we have a date for Baby Thermos's arrival. Tuesday, Jan. 26th.

That is 2 weeks from today (yes-I'm counting!!)

So-join the fun and enter our baby pool. Either here (http://www.expectnet.com/games/BabyThermos ) or on Facebook. Place your bet soon!! There will be a prize of some sort for the winner.

Is it a boy or a girl?

When will he/she make their debut?

How much will they weigh?

Previous history. My water broke with both of the girls. Bennet was born at 39w6days. Weighed 7lbs.13oz. Scout was born at 37w3days. Weighed 6lbs.15oz.

For what it's worth Nick thinks I'm going early.

Nesting via Scrapping?

I have been a nesting fool this past week and really wanting to scrapbook too. It works since I can sit and scrap. Here are some recent creations.

TITLE: Fun, Fabulous Four.
Photos from Bennet's 4th birthday.
JOURNALING: Happy 4th Birthday Bennet! Your goofball personality is starting to shine through. You like to make us laugh with your funny faces or stories. Life is never dull when you're around. Thanks for the smiles B! We love you!
TITLE: Open Wide
B's first trip to the dentist last April.
JOURNALING:

I actually used these photos on three separate layouts. Something I rarely do. I made a layout for Bennet, Scout and Thermos's albums.

Remember This

I want to remember. I want to remember how I'm feeling these days. Not physically feeling- that I could forget. I want to remember all the sappy, emotional, heart sweeping emotions that I'm having on a daily basis.

I feel like these days leading up to Thermos's arrival are just a paradox. Sometimes I feel like the days are stretching on and other times I feel like time is so fleeting. Lately I've caught myself looking at the girls are realizing that we won't be a family of 4 for much longer. How will Bennet like being the Biggest Sister? Will Scout adore or abhor her new sibling?

I was watching the two of them get lost in a sea of bubbles during bathtime earlier this week and it all just sort of hit me. How blesses we are to have two happy, healthy, incredibly energetic girls. I know the two of them will always have a special bond but I also know that Thermos will make his/her way into the fold as well.

Right now she. . .

~Still thinks she's having a baby. Currently it's pink sparkly kitty named Rainbow Diamond or Butterfly Diamond- I lose track. I've tried to convince her that she isn't having a baby. I've told her that we can't afford therapy right now. She won't be swayed.

~LOVES footie pj's and pj days. She'd live in them if I let her. Oh- and her new Princess Snuggie. BIG props to Aunt Katie, Uncle Matt & Molly on that one.

~Wants to watch the intro cartoon to "Who's Framing Roger Rabbit?' on a daily basis. There is a line where he says, "I'll save you baby" and she just thinks that's the funniest thing ever.

~Asks you the name of EVERY single song on the radio. When I responded, "Poker Face" (Lady GaGa) she said, "Well- that's not very nice. That would hurt"

~Still does the Naked Dance on a daily basis. My poor friend Jared got a front row seat to a show a couple weeks ago. Exhibitionists.

~Her new favorite food is tomato soup.

~Watches out for Scout and when she gets in trouble will say, "Mom, mom you have to see this. Scout's in horrible danger". The 'horrible danger' part makes me giggle. Sometimes she says, 'grave danger' and that makes us laugh harder.

Right now she. . .

~Like to put her baby dolls in the crib in the nursery. Very sweet.

~Wants to snuggle on your lap any chance she can get. It's so adorable albeit uncomfortable.

~Will respond 'Yes' with a very distinct s at the end when answering a question. Bennet was always 'yep' but Scout says 'Yes'

~Likes the idea of going on the big girl potty, the sitting, wiping and flushin but doesn't actually do anything on the big girl potty.

~Seems so grown up. I distinctly remember putting Bennet down for a nap the afternoon I had Scout. When I saw her again later that night at the hospital it was like she'd grown up exponentially in a few hours. I'm not sure I'm ready for that emotion again.

~She does the Naked Dance on a daily basis as well but when she says it it sounds like "Gobble Gay-Ged" instead of "I'm all Naked" Hi-larious!


~She still loves cheese. Cheese, cheese, cheese!

I think that's enough rambling for tonight. Oh.My.Gosh. We're having another baby. Soon. Holy cow. It's just- wow. So exciting and scary at the same time. But we're ready. We're ready.

Friday Fill Ins

1. There are places that will always hold special memories. Especially this, our first home as a family.
2. Old man winter is not able to blow those clouds away.
3. Standing in the middle of the road is a good way to get run over. Just saying.
4.We'll have another family member in less than 3 weeks. Oh girl or oh boy.
5. He went out tiger hunting and I watched it on the Discovery Channel.
6. Nothing these days helps keep my mind from wandering .
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a hot bath, tomorrow my plans include maybe making some more suppers to freeze and wishing my BIL Mark a happy 40th and Sunday, I want to watch the Packers!

More Layouts

More layouts. I am fully aware that my 'free' scrap time will be dramatically reduced if not eliminated in 3 weeks.



This layout scanned really HOT but you get the general idea. I used the 12/31 sketch from Sketchy Thursdays blog for this one. We all went to Macy's 8th Floor in Mpls to see the holiday display.



I lifted the design for this from the JilliBean Soup blog. I mixed a bunch of product- Teresa Collins, Scenic Route, American Crafts and Making Memories.

Starting 2010 with a BANG!

Over the course of the looonnngggg weekend I've been able to scrap a little bit. Nick keeps nagging me to sit down and take it easy- so I am :) Plus- ScrapFreak is having a really cool, easy January crop.

TITLE: Me&B Date

I took the journaling right from my blog post the other day.

TITLE: Believe

I got the cute tin 'Believe' embellie from my friend Jess in a holiday exchange and it worked perfectly. I won some blog candy from my friend Char's blog. The prize was a kit was from Express the Moment

TITLE: At the Fair

I used up a bunch of older product. I'd had the paper and alphas for years!!

Journaling: The fair has it all. Ride & animals for the kids and fair food for the adults. My fave- big corn dogs. Nick-an elephant ear. Scout loved the bunnies & Bennet the spaceship ride. A carousel ride with both girls to end the night.

And now I want a corn dog.

TITLE: Captured

I stole this design from Estee Stone. I just loved it.

Journaling: I am such a sucker for photo booths. The photos never turn out perfect but that is what makes them so great. Eyes closed, heads out of frame & brutally honest. Everytime I see these photos I get the dopiest grin on my face. Worth the $3 everytime. 0/09

Daily December- Dec. 24th and 25th

I'm DONE!! I can't tell you how great it feels to have a completed minialbum like this. So much fun!