I AM GOING TO BLOG TODAY! (The long catch up)

That is what I have been saying for weeks, but today is the morning I woke up and said, I REALLY AM going to blog today. I never thought it would get this bad, but I don't think my life has ever been this insane. So 1st of all here is a life update...(Appropriate photos are inserted throughout)

My last post (besides the out of necessity one), was right after we got back from Utah in June (yes that was four months ago!). Soon after that we moved to our new house, so moving...that keeps you pretty busy right?  We got through the 4th of July holiday and some company visiting only to find out the next week that I am pregnant. We did manage to get to the Kutztown Folk Festival, but it was like a day after we moved and I couldn't find my camera. Bought a disposable, but don't have those digital yet. Ahhh...let the morning sickness begin. (I really don't know why they call it that, especially since so many people, like myself, have it all day long.) Well a few weeks after that was the CK Convention and those couple of weeks before that are ALWAYS busy, let alone when you can barely get out of bed. So heck with unpacking...all my energy went to either taking care of Gabe (I'm talking the bare essentials...feeding, and bathing) and getting ready for the convention. I should mention that official potty training (no more diapers) started right after we moved in.

The weekend before the convention my friends from Boston came with their daughters. The highlight of their visit was our trip to Sesame Place.

(My friend Kim, Gabe in the middle and Kim's oldest daughter Kirbie on right...I couldn't go on cuz of pregnancy and I would have been even sicker!)

Immediately after the convention was Gabe's birthday.  Literally, the next day. (Can't seem to find those pictures right now either...geez)

August...hmmm let me remember...I remember their being lots of sickness, nauseau and naps. There were store meetings cancelled because of sickness....do I really need to remember this? OK, focus on the good memories. I remember trying to play catch up at the store, but never really being caught up. Right...back to the good August memories. I don't think I mentioned yet how the house we moved into is a fixer-uper type. You know the kind that needs a ton of work, there will always be a million things to  do. Well, the first thing is the kitchen. I didn't take a picture, but I should. Our current kitchen is a little outdated...bright orange countertops, dark wood cabinets that are rotting, leaky sink, worn out brown linoleum(sp?) floor that is peeling. Well, our first project is not only to redo the kitchen, but we are moving it to another part of the house, bigger better, but yah...what a project. So construction really started in August. I don't have a before picture, but trust me, there have been lots of improvements. Towards the end of August Gabe and I went to Dorney Park with Tante Kimmy, Tante Patty, Sarah and Ben.

Then the next week, Tante Kimmy, Gabe and I went to visit Aunt Sue and Brian at the beach house just before Labor Day Weekend. (Just realized don't have pictures handy, cuz most were on a disposable.)

Ok, so that takes us to September. Gabe started preschool in Early September, Tuesday and Thursdays a couple days a week. Here is the first day of school photo. I remember being really excited about the potential of having some more time at the store on Tuesday mornings while Gabe is at school (FYI - I now know that there are a million other things I like to get done in that time too and as of October have only spent 2 Tuesday mornings there..hee hee)

September was a lot more of construction and at some point towards the end of September the morning sickness finally subsided. This is month that I actually caught up on store stuff after the months of being behind and stressed. Yup, feeling pretty good about things. (Just so you know being caught up is still not planning too far ahead, which is where I would really like to be.) OK, so let's just say that takes us to October (feel like I missing something, but I can't remember.)

And as you know, beginning of October is always our Crop for a Cure. The event went really well this year, and this is my first official word, that although I don't have the exact total yet, but I know we raised the most this year then we ever did over $6000. Thanks to all who have participated and I will get you the final total soon! Sorry, I don't have any photos, but you can always check out Patty's blog, and go back to beginning of October, she always have a few photos.  Fun stuff.

Ok, so sometime soon after (or maybe even before) I got a brilliant idea to make a halloween costume for Gabe. I asked my Mom if she would help since it would involve sewing and I haven't sewn since 8th grade. So after the crop was over I started cutting material and pinning and stuff...more on that later. On October 12th, we left for Florida on a quick, trip to visit our friends in Port Charlotte. About 3 weeks before we went we decided to take a day trip to Disney for Gabe's first official visit. We told him 2 days before we left and he was sooooo excited. We went there that Saturday and he was thrilled. He had such a good time! Some photos...

 

We came back and the next day was the trip to the Pumpkin Patch with Gabe's Preschool. (Daddy was in between jobs so he could come too.)

 

Came back from Disney and had the big push to get the halloween costume done. I spent many hours and days at my mother's working on the costume and thank goodness for moms who know something about sewing. So...Saturday was trick-or-treat...here he is in his costume.

Tomorrow is his preschool program and parade and we will trick-or-treat to some relatives on Halloween! So I am sure more photos are to come. One more update as far as the construction. So in the "new" kitchen, this is what we (no so much me) have done so far:

• Tore down a half wall that separated it with another room
• Tore down some built-in cabinetry which uncovered some major chimney and other problems
• Fixed those problems
• Raised a sunken floor to be even with the rest of the house
• Changed a steel door to a window
• Changed a bow window to a door with sidelights
• Started electrical for outlets and appliances
• AND FINALLY...this weekend, we have a new tile floor! Yippee

Coming in the next few weeks:

• Finish dry walling in some additional wall, build island wall
• Finish electrical outlets and lighting
• Painting
• Plumber comes
• Cabinets installed
• Appliances delivered
• Countertops installed
• Backsplash done
• MOVE IN!!!! (how exciting)

Here is a current photo of the new space with the new floor.

Just some other random thoughts:

• We are STILL working on potty training 4 months later
• The kitchen project is just one of a major list that NEEDS to be done
• Through this whole thing I have been unpacking, but our entire garage is still full of stuff (mostly because of the construction)
• Notice there is no scrapbook time listed anywhere on this post
• My Enter button just fell off my new laptop and I don't know how to put it back on
• I haven't had a microwave since we moved
• The baby is due March 5th
• Yes I am over half way and still haven't taken a picture of my belly
• If I find missing birthday or beach pictures, I will post them

OK, so you are caught up. This took me hours, so I can not let this happen again.

I promised Gabe that I WE would work on a scrapbook of his Disney photos when he got up from his nap this afternoon. I have to scan some autographs. YES, he is going to help. This is our first joint project. I will let you know how it goes.