Small successes L

1.  Delivered our third baby!!  It was a quick, uneventful labor and delivery (well, as uneventful as labor and delivery can be anyways;-D).  God is so good, and our precious Clement is just sooooo wonderful.

2.  Had said baby Baptized.  

3.  Got birth announcements done and in the mail (this is the pic I used).

 

4.  We're surviving and doing well!!!

5.  Oh, and in between all that we celebrated six years of marriage as well.  God is sooo good!!

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Small successes XLIX

1.  Knocked off most of the rest of my "pre-baby list": haircuts, kids picture taken, waxed legs, toenails painted...  You know, the important stuff!  I've also begun packing a bag to take to the birth center.  Considering the fact that I was madly throwing things into my duffel bag about an hour-and-a-half before Kolbe was born, I figure this is good.  I also got our diapers and NB gender neutral clothes out, washed and ready.

2.  Did I mention the kids' pictures?  I think they turned out really sweet if I do say so myself, and I got a heckuva deal as I took them separately two separate weeks at Portrait Innovations.  Yay for good timing with their "promotional periods".   

       

3.  I have reached (and passed) the magical "full-term" milestone in this pregnancy.  I hope (for baby's sake) and guess (from previous experience) that it will still be another week or two...but really it could be anytime now.  Wow!  Where has the time gone?!  Prayers for a safe, healthy delivery for me and babe would be greatly appreciated. 

Join in the Small Successes fun each Thursday over at CatholicMom.

Small successes XLVII

1. After getting the kids set up with their new beds and moving Gemma's queen bed to the basement spare room, I decided it was time that room got a bit of an overhaul.  We have a ton of storage in this house (most of which is taken up with tub after tub of children's clothing...) but the spare room (which is also my sewing room and the room where I keep our "school" things) had starting ending up the "catch all" room and it was driving me nuts.  Now the storage area is more organized and the spare/sewing/school room actually looks like a spare/sewing/school room, and not a mess.  This was a bit of nesting that brought me a very huge and nerdy amount of joy.  

2.  Got my hair cut (trimmed).  I will shamelessly admit, this was one of my big priorities on the "to do" list before baby arrives.  

3.  I've gotten a lot of planning/ideas organized for our "preschool at home" this coming summer/school year.  I'm finishing up on a blogpost about it that I hope to share soon, but it feels good to have so many resources explored/available and I've come up with what seems to be a realistic system for implementing all these ideas. 

4.  As I mentioned as a goal in my last Small Successes, I finished reading Walking With God A Journey Through the Bible.  It was very good.  If you're looking for a great, easy-to-read (and understand) overview of Salvation History from Old Testament Genesis through the Acts of the Apostles, I would highly recommend this book. I enjoyed it so much, and would love to participate in the Great Adventure Bible Study at my (or another) parish at some point.

5.  Currently enjoying lots of good books with the kids as part of the Summer Reading Program at our library.

6.  Reactivated my Facebook account.  I'm not a huge fan of Facebook, it's kind of a love/hate thing I guess anymore.  But after a several month hiatus, I decided an online FB presence was a good enough thing in my life, so I'm back.  Ahhhh, always striving for balance.

Head on over to CatholicMom to join in Small Successes each Thursday.

Small successes XLVI

In honor of Small Successes moving over to Catholic Mom (go check it out!!) I decided it was time to jump back on board with some successes again (the cool prize pack may have had something to do with that :-D).  Let's see....

1. Made my "To Do" list of things I'd like to get done in preparation for baby's arrival (first half of July).  There's so much less to do the third time around.  
2. Along with #1, we're working (as I type in fact) on getting daughter (4.5) and son (2.5) moved into the same bedroom.  Wish us luck.  Daughter will move from her queen bed to a twin, and son will move from his toddler bed in his room/sleeping with us to a twin in the same room as sis.  It will be a process I'm sure.
3. Have an appt. scheduled for Confession/spiritual direction.  Alllllllllllways good!!
4. Am trying to power my way through Walking with God: A Journey through the Bible.  I finally got it through inter-library loan, and have it until the 25th of this month.  Late fees are a dollar a day, and I'm not really into that, sooooooo...  I'm about a quarter of the way there.  It's very, very good.  Definitely not incredibly in depth, but a wonderful overview of salvation history.  I have the problem of getting through Genesis and part of Exodus (reading the Bible or with various commentaries) and then falling off the wagon.  Consistently.  This book is so readable, I am confident in finishing.  Hopefully by the 25th!!

CHEERS everyone!!  Head over to Catholic Mom and join in the fun!!!

Small successes XLV

1. Waxed my legs for the third time this winter.  Awesomeness. My legs have not seen a razor since early October (sorry if that's TMI), and they actually do not resemble those of a woolly-mammoth.  This waxing business is pretty sweet when you stick with it and follow through.

2.  Sold some cloth diapers that I bought in advance and ended up not needing/using.  I was able to sell them for close to what I bought them for (since they were still new) so I ended up coming out less than $10 short of what I bought them for.  Yay!  And this has cleared some nice room in my diaper storage tubs, which is always welcomed.

3. Got everything together for our taxes (this a joint success for my hubby and myself) and got things in the mail (to our tax preparation guy) for our corporate and personal taxes.  Now we just wait!  Always nice to get that big mess of numbers and paperwork over with.  I can't imagine having to do our taxes on our own...

4.  Replaced our bed-sheets and pillows.  I had been complaining about my pillow, and about the fact that I thought our sheets were getting a little worn.  Well, one day I was making the bed and the sheets just ripped.  Kid you not.  So yep, it was time to replace them.  We had a replacement set on hand so I got those all washed up and put on, and then went out and got a good deal on some pillows.  Sweet dreams!

5.  Caught a cold (that's not the "success" part) but weathered it pretty well and managed not to pass it on to my hubby or children.  YAY for healthy habits and healthy immune systems.

6.  Went through a major organization overhaul.  Almost like I was nesting, only too early.  ; -D  Whatever the case, the more organized/decluttered things are around  here the better (in my OCD opinion).

7.  Got several blog posts I'd been putting off saved to my drafts.  Now I just have to click "publish"!

8.  Have our family Lent plans essentially ready to go.  Is that really less than three weeks away?!

9. Posted my successes more often than quarterly!

It's important as moms to share in each others' successes, no matter how big or small.  Share your successes each week (if you'd like) over at Chocolate For Your Brain!!!

Small successes XLIV

Heavens, has it really been almost three months since I linked up to Small Successes?  Ah well, quarterly is better than not at all, right?!

1. Survived the first trimester!  
2. We made it through the holidays and they really were quite enjoyable and relaxing (to an extent).  We're wrapping up birthday week around here now (yes, both kids, five days apart...I'm excited for my July baby).  We have Baptism Anniversaries to celebrate next week and THEN things should slow down considerably in the "celebration" department.  It's about time, we've been at it since the Feast of St. Nicholas.  Whew!
3. Got professional pics of the kids done today.  Check out the sidebar for a preview, they turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.
4. Am wrapping up a yearlong plus project I've been working on and the end is fiiiiiiiiiiiiinally in sight.  I couldn't be more grateful.
5. Did lots of reorganizing around the house.  Things feel good.  Sometimes after Christmas it gets a little, um, stressful with all the new items (namely toys), but after sorting, purging, packing and reorganizing, I think we're good.  For now.

I guess that's about it this go around.  Maybe I'll try to be better about linking up again here in the near future.  To share in the successes, visit Sherry at Chocolate For Your Brain.

Small successes XLIII

It's been awhile since I linked up with Small Successes - and this post has been a work-in-progress in my drafts since the first of the month - so I figured it was time again.  Not that there have been any extraordinary accomplishments around here, but it's still fun to share the "small" stuff.

1. I got our digital photos and my documents from the past quarter backed up.  Always nice to have that peace of mind in case something goes haywire.

2. The house got a really good cleaning after they finished installing our windows and staining the woodwork.  There is nothing like a renovation project to mess up your house.  And your sanity.  Wow, I'm glad that's over.

3.  Finally figured out how to download video from our camcorder to the laptop!  Look for more videos on the blog here in the new future, this is fun!!

4.  Broke down and bought a Magic Eraser sponge and WOW, our tub hasn't been so clean since ever.  I mean it, it's cleaner than when we bought the house!! (Ew.) What is in those things that makes them work so well?!  Maybe I don't want to know...

5.  We've had a really good week around here so far.  It seems lately we've been in a funk (namely with Gemma's behavior), and things - while certainly not anywhere close to perfect - have been going better this week overall.  It makes me happy.

6.  We have been soaking up the time outdoors.  I shudder to think how we are going to fill that time here in a couple months (or less) when it's too cold to go out.  Somehow we always survive.  I think...

7.  I've planned some fun "pumpkin" activities for the kids for Halloween late this week and next, and I've been staying on top of our home school preschool planning. 

Head on over to Chocolate For Your Brain to share more successes!

Small successes XLII

1.  Blogged about some recent reads.  (click here if you're interested in any of the titles)

2.  I'm not much a coupon person, but I've gotten some good deals on laundry detergent recently by combining coupons and sales.  Purex Naturals and Arm and Hammer FREE if you're curious.

3.  Have been making it to daily Mass (some days, which is better than no days) early before anyone is up at my house.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

4.  THE BATHROOMS ARE FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Pictures to come...

5. Got socks, shoes and jackets for my children for Fall/Winter.  I am slowly working on finishing out their wardrobes for the coming season.  It just never ends!

6.  Did some more purging and organizing in the sewing room and storage room.  That always ALWAYS feels good.  The sewing room had kind of become the "catch all" room during the bathroom renovations, so it's nice to have it "back".

Head on over to Chocolate For Your Brain each Thursday to share in others' successes!

Small successes XLI

1.  Despite the oppressive heat, some of my summer annuals are doing very well...particularly the lantana and moss rose.  AND IT RAINED LAST NIGHT!!!  2.5 inches!!!!!!!!  YAY!!!!!!!

2. Finished some sewing projects for some new babies in the family!  Pictures to come!!!

3.  Did some planning for our "school year".  Gemma is 3.5 yrs and while we don't intend to send her to preschool, I would like to do some structured learning with her at home.  She's definitely ready.  I'm going to be using the Alphabet Path and this new book from Catholic Icing (SO EXCITED!!!) 

4.  Got a good deal on some school supplies (crayons, markers, water-colors, storage tubs, construction paper, glue, etc.) and got them all organized and stored in the cabinets in our laundry room.

5.  My husband (yes this is his success, not mine) spent time cleaning up some trash that blew in the neighborhood lake.  We're not able to participate in the HOA (besides paying our dues) or do many of the neighborhood activities and projects, so it was nice to be able to contribute in this way.  I did play outside with the kids while he worked though.  ;-D  

6.  The bathroom remodel is coming along.  It is taking way too long, but I'm trying to be patient and the end product will be so worth it.  The joy of the pink formica being gone makes the weeks that this has been going on and things have been torn up and/or out of order a bit more bearable.

7. Scored some cool books I'd been wanting to read on inter-library loan.  Yes I am lame and get excited about things like that.  Speaking of scoring good deals on books though, have you checked out Thriftbooks?  It is fast becoming my new favorite venue for ordering used (and like-new) books!  FREE SHIPPING all the time without a $25 minimum purchase!!!

Share successes each week over at Chocolate For Your Brain!!

Small successes XL

1. Finally packed away all our newborn items (burp-cloths, receiving blankets, etc.) in an organized manner (rubbermaid tubs versus various places in the baby-room closet and dresser).  Yes, I realize my baby is 18 months old.

2. Finished the diapers I was sewing for a friend and am well into my next project, some baby gifts for family members!!

3. Made a successful day-trip out of town and my children (and hubby) survived!!  I was only gone 8-9 hrs, but Kolbe has never gone that long without nursing, so I was glad everyone (including myself) did alright with that. 

4.  Got the children's pictures taken today!!!!  And they turned out so well!!!!!!!!!

5.  My dear mother-in-law steam-cleaned my carpets.  First time after 4yrs in the house.  They weren't terrible, but it is nice to have it done.  (I guess this is in no part my success, but I'm still happy about it)!

6.  Celebrating FIVE YEARS of marriage today.  God is so good!

Share successes each week over at Chocolate For Your Brain!

Small successes XXXIX

1. Did a decent job (more than I've done in recent history anyways) vacuuming under the fridge and stove.  If I were really motivated I would have my hubby move them out and vacuum under them more thoroughly, but alas...  We won't talk about the inside of my oven.  And I must be honest, the only thing that motivated me to do this was dropping a tub of cornmeal on the kitchen floor.  But hey, it got done!!

2. Found some really cool educational stuff at Target for my children!  And I've already successfully used some of these items with my daughter and we both enjoyed ourselves...double (triple?) success!!

3.  Stripped some of my cloth diapers (the microfiber/fleece dipes/inserts).  It seemed to work.  They smell nice and fresh anyways.  If you're wondering, I used 1tsp. of original Dawn dish-soap and 1/4 cup regular Clorox bleach in a hot load and then rinsed until no more suds (3-4 rinses) per Cotton Babies' recommendation. 

Better late than never...head on over to Chocolate For Your Brain for more successes each Thursday!

Small successes XXXVIII

1. Had a "date night" with my hubby!  We did a bunch of little chores around the house that never get done because they are tough to do with the kids around, and then had a nice dinner at a little Mediterranean restaurant we hadn't been to in years.  And we settled on some new lamps for which we'd been shopping around/talking about getting for quite some time.

2.  Making progress on the batch of diapers I'm working on sewing for my little guy and a friend's son as well (we're doing some 'my sewing for her knitting' trade).  Maybe posting about my progress will actually motivate me to (ahem) finish them...

3. Rearranged our toys a bit, rotated some stuff in and out (I always keep a fair amount packed away), moved some stuff from upstairs down and some stuff from downstairs up.  It's amazing how just a few changes like that will pique my children's interest in a toy that had been completely ignored or forgotten.

Head on over to Chocolate For Your Brain to share in Small Successes each week!

Small successes XXXVII

1.  My hubby had a continuing education seminar this past weekend.  It was in town, thankfully, but we didn't see much of him.  And the kids and I survived! And had a very nice weekend!!  It's amazing the difference my attitude can make...

2. I've been making some good progress in the photo-organization department.

3.  FINALLY!  After having my hair chopped entirely too short on a whim last May...it is longer!!  I can put it up in a ponytail or messy bun without strands falling out.  I can curl it and style it how I want.  I have successfully grown my bangs longer as well.  YAY!!  Silly I know, but this makes me absurdly glad.

Share small successes each Thursday over at Chocolate For Your Brain!

Small successes XXXVI

1. Found a pretty decent solution to the shoe issue we had going on by our mudroom door!

2.  Got Gemma signed up for the Summer Reading Program at our library.  I'm pretty excited about this and so is she.

3. Got a good deal on the Seventh Generation Diapers my son wears overnight.  I love my cloth during the day but just can't seem to make it work overnight once they hit around 9 months.  With 20% off these ended up being just shy of $.31 per dipe.  

Share more successes over at Chocolate For Your Brain.

Small successes XXXV

1.  Turned four of my t-shirts into sleeveless shirts for summer with about 45 minutes time, some scissors and my sewing machine.  I am THRILLED with how they turned out.  I'm not a fan of tank-tops, but I really despise the idea of rocking a farmer's tan all summer, so these will be just perfect for our summer activities (time at the park, nature walks, etc.) And it was sooooo easy.  Here I am wearing the Cabo san Lucas one.  It was our honeymoon destination, and oh how I hope to make it back there some day...

2.  Became a "Gold Member" at our library.  For $25 a year we no longer have to pay the quarter fee for holds.  YAY!  Bring on the books!!!

3. Morning prayers with the children had been getting a little too crazy lately.  Too many distractions for Gemma, too many things for Kolbe to get into, which led to one grumpy mommy.  Just the right combination for our starting-the-day-prayers.  Not.  We typically prayed in the living room by our "prayer table" (which is simply one of our end tables).  We have now started praying at the kitchen table after breakfast.  I just move the candle and crucifix in there during prayer-time.  It has been working splendidly.  Thank you God!

Share your successes and read about others' each Thursday over at Chocolate For Your Brain!

Small successes XXXIV

1.  Planted pretty spring flowers on the deck!!

2.  Bought some more rubbermaid tubs for our ever-multiplying pile of childrens' clothing (AAAAAAAACCCCCCCCKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!) and got everything organized and labeled accordingly.  This wasn't too huge a feat, most of it was already done...we were just beginning to have more clothes than we had tubs so I remedied that and labeled some things a bit more specifically.

3. I think we are finally seeing a small bit of success in the nap department with Kolbe.  It was becoming apparent that the only place he liked to nap was my arms/the mei tai carrier. As much as I try to saver those snuggly moments, I was just reaching a point where it would be nice to have him sleep a bit longer unassisted.  I knew this was not going to happen in his crib (at least without screaming and crying, and I am opposed to going that route), so I got creative.  I nurse/rock him down the first time and put him down sleeping in his crib.  When he wakes up (any where from 30 minutes to an hour later typically) I go in and we lay on a little pallet on his floor together until he falls back asleep (most days this takes less than 5 minutes).  Then I sneak out.  I have a monitor that's very sensitive to any sound in his room, so I know the moment he stirs or wakes up.  This has worked great some days and fair others, but overall it is definitely some positive progress.  YAY!!!

As moms, it's important to recognize our successes big and small!  Share yours and read about others' each Thursday over at Chocolate For Your Brain, and as always, don't forget to check out all the great articles at Faith and Family Live!

Small successes XXXIII

1.  Made it to Holy Thursday and Easter Vigil Masses...by myself!  And it was glorious.  I love attending Mass with my family, and definitely benefit from the graces that the adventure of going to Mass as a family with young children presents.  But for one or two evenings of the year I adore those moments alone in worship.  Plus, the Holy Thursday and Vigil liturgies are just so rich, it was nice to really be able to savor them.  (As a side-note, thank you to my dear hubby for staying home with the children both evenings, and to Kolbe for staying asleep after being put to bed on Saturday evening.)

2.  Finished The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux.  Wow.  This book was absolutely chock-full of wonderful gems of wisdom.  Next up, Mountains of Spices.

3.  Cleaned out, lined and reorganized our silverware drawer. I know, I know; it doesn't get much more exciting than that.

As moms it's important to recognize our successes, big and small.  Share yours and read about others' each Thursday over at Faith and Family Live!

Small successes XXXII

1. Washed windows, screens and blinds (*cue chorus of heavenly voices*)!

2. Got all my garage sale items marked and boxed up and am continuing to add to the pile!

 

3. Am finally perfecting the art of "corners" with blanket-binding.

Share your successes and read about others' over at Faith and Family LIVE!

Small successes XXXI

As wives and mamas, it's important to share in each others' successes no matter how small or large.  Share yours and read about others' over at Faith and Family LIVE!

1.  My sweet, snuggly Kolbe (14 months) is making some small strides in the sleep department.  Small, but strides none-the-less.  (I guess this is really his success not mine).  Lately (since January or so) he has been taking one nap a day, and all but the first 15-30 minutes of that nap is typically spent snuggled on me in the mei tai carrier.  Recently he has been doing better napping in his bed though, some days not going in the carrier at all.  He still has yet to sleep a solid 2-3 hour nap anytime recently, but I've been rocking him back down when he stirs and cries rather than just putting him in the carrier.  He still spends most of the night (from midnight or so on) in our bed, but lately he has taken to snuggling up in my armpit and using his little feet to shove daddy to the edge of the bed so I think once the weather is warmer (read: getting out of my warm, comfy bed during the night is a bit more bearable) I'll work on nighttimes as well.  We are where we are with sleep and I'm good with that (Gemma night-weaned and started sleeping through the night all on her own the June she was 17 months, so we'll see where Kolbe is by then...), but the small progress makes me happy.  I know I'll miss all these snuggles some day though, so I'm trying to savor them even if they impede my productivity (or sleep).

2.  I have handled *some* of Gemma's tantrums this week with grace and love.  This is a success because some weeks it seems like I handle NONE of them with grace or love.  We are works in progress for sure. 

3.  I tackled a couple very gratifying projects this past weekend.  Here are the end results, and you can read more about them here.

Small successes XXX

1. After resigning myself to the fact that I'm just not going to gain the weight I need to make my pants fit me, I took five (!!!!) pair to my alterations gal to be taken in (and a couple lengthened a bit) earlier this week. Can't WAIT to get them back and have pants that fit me correctly.

2. Tidied up the sewing room (lately the catch-all room it seems) and filed a whole stack of papers.

3. Found a really tasty bread recipe we've been enjoying. (If you're interested, I used my breadmaker for dough prep and baked in a loaf-pan in the oven.  Subbed butter for the oil, used a bit more than 1tsp. of yeast and used some whole-wheat flour instead of all white.)

Share what you did over at Faith and Family Live!, where Catholic moms share in eachothers' successes each Thursday.  Blessings!