the sky is pink

Saturday was interesting. Saturday afternoon, Joe discovered we had a sewage backup in our basement. We have town water and sewage, so we contacted the town and they sent someone over (2 hours later) to remove the clog down the street. It was lovely. Our basement was filling up with the town's crap water. Luckily Joe was home. He was supposed to be away Friday and Saturday, and they changed it (on Wednesday) to Thursday and Friday. And, luckily, Joe caught it soon after it started, which is a good thing considering how fast it was coming out at first. Jack's soccer tournament and Taylor's soccer game were cancelled due to the rainy weather, but Carter still had his. His team lost. Again. I don't think his team has won in two years. Poor guy. (Same coaches and mostly the same kids.) Saturday evening our church had "Trunk or Treat." It was freezing and windy. The kids enjoyed it, though. Spenser was a ladybug. The boys were characters from Star Wars. (I think Ob...

Look what came in yesterday's mail! Sara sent some little goodies for my little man. A little camouflage flap hat (from the Mailorder 4 pattern), adorable bitty booties, and some socks. Both my husband and Sara's are in the Army, so it was only fitting for her to make the hat in camo! It is so freaking cute, too! And the bitty booties have that tape measure trim that I love. I have seen it on blogs before, but never in person. It adds a great touch. And one pair of the socks are stripey. Perhaps to go with my growing fascination with stripes . Yesterday I went to the see the doctor about my back. Unfortunately, because of nursing, I can only take Motrin (800 mg). I can take Percoset, which was prescribed to me upon discharge from the hospital and never used, but my doctor recommends I only take it at night. There are a few problems with taking it at night, though. First, I don't really need it at night. Unless I am rolling over to nurse the baby, changing his diaper, or b...

At every nap- and bed time, we put Spenser in her bed with a few pillows and a few of her favorite dolls. Shortly after we leave, she piles her bed with every book, stuffed animal, blanket, and doll she can find (in the dark). Usually when we go to bed (about 1 1/2 hours after Spenser), we find her like this ... with her animals and pillows and dolls taking up most of the bed, and Spenser barely able to sleep and still awake. The little plastic bucket on her bed is filled with the books I took out of her bed at nap time. And I'm sure if she knew there were books under her bed, they would have been in her bed! This picture was taken at night (the flash lit up the room quite well).

The rest of yesterday, was just like the beginning . Sawyer spent time in his carseat to help with his reflux and it seemed to help. While fixing dinner, I went to check on him (in the next room). Spenser was sitting on his "lap" in the carseat. Then during dinner I picked him up (to nurse him) and discovered he had a diaper explosion. It was all over the carseat cover, too. (And, of course , it was right before I had to take Taylor to soccer practice.) When we returned from dropping Taylor off at soccer practice, I decided to finally eat some dinner. I walked into the family room to notice Jack wildly rocking the carseat (with baby inside). I freaked out! All I could think about was "shaken baby syndrome." Jack had to leave the room until I could nicely explain to him to never do it again !!!!! Then, before bed, I went up into my room (to gather more dirty baby clothes to wash) and noticed that Spenser had gotten into a new container of baby wipes and had left ...

Yesterday mid-morning I started having some back pain. I have had back pain intermittently for probably 15 years. Yesterday it hit full force. I could barely get up off the sofa, pick up the baby, move, walk, etc. I could not bend over to save my life. Yet, as a mother, I had to keep going. This morning it was a little better, with the help of Motrin. At least I can walk and move. So as I'm running around this morning (actually limping around hunched over) trying to get the three older boys off to school, I put Sawyer on the sofa. He wasn't happy to be left there, but it was only going to be for a few minutes. He was crying when I put him down and when I went to check on him, he was lying on the floor between the sofa and the ottoman with Spenser standing above him saying, "come here." He didn't appear to be hurt, as he stopped crying shortly after I picked him up. Then we're running out the door to take the baby to his one-month checkup and Mason to preschoo...

Here is the brown corduroy skirt I made on Saturday. I tried sewing French seams, which I'm not exactly sure if I was executing it properly. It was my first attempt at this technique. Then I attempted the same technique on my pants (from PJ pattern). I guess I didn't allow enough extra seam allowance and they are a little snug around my thighs, hips and bottom. I can still put them on, they are just a little tighter than I prefer. I tried them before I sewed the drawstring casing and hemmed them. I was so disappointed that they didn't fit exactly how I had planned, so I stopped. I tried them on for Joe last night and he said they look fine, so I may go ahead and finish them ... some time. (And last night I cut out some pieces to sew a new fall bag. I'll sew that when I finish my pants.) photo courtesy of my son, Taylor.

There is no school today for the three older boys ... yipee for me! (just teasing) Taylor was playing with the camera this morning and when I downloaded the pictures, I found this one of Taylor and Spenser (taken by Taylor). It cracks me up! Here are two pictures of my littlest man, Sawyer. He is finally big enough to fit into his onesies . Yay for growing baby! And this morning was his "first bath." (His umbilical cord fell off last week, but the belly button was looking a little oozy, so I opted to wait for a few more days.) He hates water in his face and getting dressed and undressed. Luckily I snapped this picture before I washed his face. It went downhill from there! And yesterday at school, the 2nd grade had a "pajama party." They earned this party for good behavior in the cafeteria, hallways, etc. So, Carter (who did not want his picture taken) wore his Incredibles pajamas. And this weekend I will try to sew something. I originally bought 2 ...

A few things have made me happier since yesterday's grumpy post. First, all of your kind words and comments. Thank you! I know I should just 'relax,' and I am trying ... please bear with me. Then, my shoes arrived from Zappos. I bought these for myself using birthday money I received. I am thinking this is the most I have ever paid for shoes, but they are worth it! Even Spenser agrees! Then I treated myself to a piece of birthday cheesecake (after lunch) and a Bergers cookie (after dinner). And I wonder why I can't lose my girth! This is a Bergers cookie. A cookie with a layer of fudge on the top. These are truly "Baltimore." You can only eat one because they are so rich. And this morning I tried on a pair of "fat" (capri-length) jeans. They fit! Last week they didn't fit. So I now have a 'new' pair of bottoms to wear on my bottom. As long as it's not too cold outside, I can slide by with these for now.

That would describe me lately. It seems every thing is going wrong. Every thing. My patience has not only worn thin, but I think there are actual holes in it. I can't fit into an ything. I have 3 A-line skirts that I made and one pair of capri-length athletic pants that I can wear. (Oh, and my pajama bottoms.) And, let me just say, that the weather has been cold and rainy. Not the kind of weather you want to be running around in wearing a skirt (and sandals). I am completely frustrated! Usually at 2-3 weeks postpartum, I can fit into my "fat" jeans. Not even close! I won't bore you with the day-to-day things that are going wrong. But, just know, that every thing seems to be going wrong. One of the few things that are good: Look at those little chubby cheeks! They are definitely kissable !! And munchable ! And pinchable ! And lickable !

Two recent thrift finds from the Swap Shop. A carafe. Love the colors. I can imagine orange juice in it right now. And a small, children's wooden desk. Both were absolutely free .

On Saturday a package from Angela arrived. On the left is a "taggie," as she called it. It is a small blanket with different textured ribbons attached to all four sides. Not only is it very colorful (or shall I say "Colorfool" ?), it is very soft. I'm sure the baby will love this! Spenser already does! Angela also included a matching burp cloth, which are coming increasingly handy and scarce these days. I can't seem to have enough! Both are made from a very adorable vintage sheet. Very cute. And, she also sent some vintage sheets to me. Unfortunately, I packed up my sewing machine 2 days before the baby was born. Now I'm itching to get it back out!! These new fabrics are killing me. Must. Sew . Thank you, Angela! *** Randomness: Little man is 3 weeks old today. His cheeks are getting fuller each day. All of the pictures I've taken lately are blurry. I guess I'll be forced to take some more! I have to go back to Gettysburg this mo...

You probably think I've been partying for my birthday the past few days. The truth is, things have been hectic. As you know, Tuesday was my birthday. I spent the morning taking Mason to preschool and running errands. Joe had taken off for the day, but didn't tell me until that afternoon. (He had a meeting in the morning and came home afterwards.) A few friends stopped by with gifts. Those very nice, warm, and comfy Mary-Jane-style, crocheted slippers (from Target); cheesecake; Berger cookies; candles; and homemade peanut butter and chocolate candies were just a few of the goodies. Then we had to help Taylor finish his 'character puppet' for school, based on the book The Last Battle (from T he Chronicles of Narnia) . He is made from recycled materials (as was the requirement). A lemonade cannister for his body, paper towel roll (cut in half) for his arms, and a paper mache head. We used paint and felt for embellishments. It took most of the afternoon. (And, so...

Today I turn 37 years old. I'm old. I know. Since I am among friends, I thought I would share a few things with you. (After all, I've already told you how old I am, and I've told you how much I weighed !) So here goes ... 100 Things 1. My real name is Laura. 2. All of my friends call me “Lera” (rhymes with “hurrah,” not “Vera”) 3. More people call me Lera than Laura. 4. “Lera” was an inside joke, circa 1985. 5. It was actually “Lera Fera,” and I shortened it. 6. Both names have dual meanings. 7. “Lera” was code for “Do I have a boogie in my nose?” or “You have a boogie in your nose.” 8. “Fera” was code for “Am I singing off-key?” or “You are singing off-key.” 9. My older sister and I made those up. 10. Until now, they have never been revealed. 11. You are thinking I am really weird right now. 12. I think I agree. 13. I graduated from college in 3 ½ years. 14. I wasn’t smart. 15. I was broke. 16. I was a DJ for the college radio station. 17. I played alternative music. 18....

It's hard to believe that Sawyer is 2 weeks old today. While it seems like yesterday that I was just waiting and waiting for him to be born, on the other hand, it seems like he has been around forever. He fits in so well. We adore everything about him. He has been such a blessing in our lives. I can't believe I've lived my life for so long without him!

Yes. I have been blessed. Over and over and over again. I have been deeply touched by your kindness. Thank you for your concerns regarding my recent bout with mastitis. I truly appreciate all of your comments. They have touched my soul. Thankfully, with the use of antibiotics, I am feeling much, much better. Yesterday was the first day (since Monday) that I awoke fever-free and headache-free. I have been blessed in so many ways since the baby was born, only 11 days ago. My friends have been wonderful. I have been blessed with seven (yes, 7) meals. My mother, Sandy (who co-hosted my baby shower), Lauren, Kim , and Amy brought dinners ... full meals including fattening desserts. My dear friend, Kathie not only brought a ton of food for lunch on Monday (my first day of feeling terrible), but she vacuumed my floors and mopped my kitchen floor! (And, yes , I am feeling bad that she did that job, but she was insistent!) And my mother brought lunch for me and the children (and drugs -- ...

First, look at my littlest man! And, no , he's not flipping you off. It's his ring finger! Geesh! Get your mind out of the gutter! He's making a funny little mouth because the photographer stuck her glove-clad finger in his mouth (to which he latched on) and then she pulled it out. The result was a tight-lipped mouth. Cute, but not natural. * * * * * * * * Remember on Friday when I said I've never felt better ? Well, I spoke too soon. For the past two days I have been fighting a raging case of mastitis. I awoke yesterday morning to the obvious pain in my breast, full body aches, chills, headache, etc. And, of course, it was Joe's first day back to work. Last night my temperature reached 102.8. I was miserable all night. I could barely get out of bed to change the baby's diaper. This morning was no better. My temperature reached 103.9 ! I was freaking out! My mother picked up some antibiotics at the pharmacy and brought them over and Joe came home...