I Love A Parade

Going to the Austin "Children Giving to Children" parade is my favorite Thanksgiving tradition. This is our fifth year going, and it's always a blast. Well, not last year, when it poured rain...but this year was perfect. Chilly enough that it felt like fall/winter, but not cold enough to be uncomfortable. Overcast, again, giving the winter-y feel, but no rain until we were walking to the car, and then only a drop or two. The kids take gifts to donate to "Blue Santa", we dance along to the bands, the kids wave at their favorite characters, etc. etc. It was lovely. We even managed to snap a few fun photos. And I realized how much baby weight I have yet to lose. Boo.

Happy Birthday, Chris!

It is safe to say that we all know how lucky we are to have Chris in our lives! He is the best husband and daddy anyone could ask for. We love you, Chris! Happy 33rd...

Things Fall Apart: Glass Half Full Edition

It's been a bit of a crazy week, I'd say. Chris was out of town last week and the washer started making a strange noise. I decided not to use it again until he had the chance to look at it...but then I forgot. So I threw a load in and the washing machine proceeded to die half way through, just before Chris walked in the door. So he spent Friday night wringing out that load, bailing out the washer and taking it apart.

The verdict: 10 years old and busted.
Glass half full: There are some great door-buster deals on some nice washing machines on Friday! So we go without a washer for a week (thank you to my parents for allowing me to use theirs!) and we get a great deal on a new washer. Sweet.

Saturday we took a drive up to Lakeway - only about 20 or 25 minutes away on highway roads - to have a little Chicken Express for dinner...mmm, fried corn nuggets! Afterward, we decided to stop off at Sonic for an ice cream treat. While we were there, the drivers' side window died and refused to go back up. On the coldest day of the fall so far. At night. With a baby in the car and a 25 minute highway drive ahead of us. Fun times!

The verdict: Chris spend Saturday night tearing apart the car door and managed to get the window up, but not functional.
Glass half full: It was soooo funny. We all laughed our heads off on that cold drive home. Seriously. It was hilarious. Also, perhaps a non-functioning window will curb my fast food habit a bit!

Monday I hustled and bustled around to try and get out the door on time to go visit a friend, only to discover that my car battery was dead! What the?

The verdict: Easily replaced by Chris on a quick trip home at lunch; he had me up and running just in time to pick up Maya.
Glass half full: We're so lucky to have help nearby. My Mama was nice enough to quickly run me down to Walmart for a new battery. And if she hadn't been able to, I can think of several others I could have called for help. That's such a good feeling.

Monday was also the day I gave in and decided to get my yet-again infected eyes checked out.

The verdict: Yep, infected again. Glasses for a week. More antibiotic eye drops.
Glass half full: The doctor seems to think the problem is with the type of contacts I've been wearing, and she thinks switching brands will solve the problem for good. Fingers crossed!

Today is Chris' birthday! Happy 33rd to my cutie pie! Mason's gift to him was a room full of vomit first thing in the morning. Nice. Perhaps I shouldn't have let him eat an entire block of cheese last night for dinner.

The verdict: Maybe it wasn't just something he ate, since he picked Chris' birthday lunch out at Taco Shack as the next perfect opportunity to puke everywhere. Ah crap.
Glass half full: So far he's the only puker in the house. And we are just going to knock on wood that it stays that way. And my mother was kind enough to let us bring a load of pukey laundry over.

So, yeah. Quite a week. Glass half full? That all of these events are of the "inconvenient", pain in the butt variety and not "real", end of the world problems.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!

Dress Me Up

This cute li'l number might be a fun "Christmas dress", and it's right in my price range.

Marleen blogged about this gorgeous dress, but it's SO not in my price range. Oh, Anthropologie, why must you torture me?

Oreo Fudge Bars

If I wasn't worried that this super-dose of chocolatey goodness might possibly cause Mr. Simon some tummy problems (because, you know, I have no self control and would eat the entire pan in one sitting...), I'd totally whip up a batch of Bakingblonde's Oreo Fudge Bars. Oreos, sweetened condensed milk and three kinds of chocolate chips?? Hello, hello. How good does that sound?

Get the recipe here.

Let's Be Realistic...

Someday I hope to accomplish more than just one thing per day. But for now, I'm patting myself on the back for doing anything at all...

Get the notepad here.

{Via Design Crush.}

iPod Mini Amp

I loooove the iPod mini-amp. I so need this for my kitchen counter.

Snuggle Snuggle Snuggle

When I get tired of the round-the-clock feeding routine, I remind myself how lucky I am to have this little guy to snuggle with 24/7. He's already 3 1/2 weeks old and sweet as can be. I wish this photo was scratch and sniff - mmm, does he ever smell yummy!

She Drives A Hard Bargain...

Maya wanted a "big, huge leaf pile" to jump in. She even volunteered to create it herself by raking "all the leaves in the whole entire yard!" - for $20 bucks. And her Daddy agreed to it! Geez, I would have done it for $20! Okay, maybe not, but mercy me, that girl knows how to negotiate a good wage, does she not? I think Daddy just wanted some quality time with his girl. They did rake up most of those leaves...and Miss Maya had a blast jumping in them. She even willingly posed for some photos afterwards. My, this girl is getting grown up, isn't she?

Ready, set, JUMP!

Jammin'

Chris took the kids to Best Buy this weekend and let them party like rock stars! They had so much fun banging on the drums and playing the guitars. In fact, they are now asking for a drum set for Christmas...

Dream on, dreamers!

Santa Photos: Now + Then

We made our annual trip to the mall for Santa pics. This year I got smart and went early - last year we waited in line for hours, no joke. This year, no lines, no problems! We also decided to forego Santa outfits this year and give the family photo outfits a dry run instead. I think I like 'em! I just need something for me and we'll be all set...

2008 - Mason 2 1/2; Simon 3 weeks; Maya 5

2007 - Mason 1 1/2, Maya 4

2006 - Mason 9 months; Maya 3

Anthro Monogram Collection

I've had a hard time getting inspiration for Christmas gifts so far this year...but I'm thinking some of the fun items from the Anthropologie Monogram collection will be under my tree this year! I gave these monogrammed mugs last year, and might just pick some more up this year. I'm also really digging the monogram ornaments and pocket mirrors. But my favorites are the monogrammed necklaces. They're on both my shopping and wish lists!

Three Kids In The Bed...

A little snugglin' in the morning!

And, of course, some mauling...er...kissin'.

And a little brotherly love...look at Simon's sweet expression. He still doesn't direct smiles at anyone in particular, but they do pop up from time to time.

Tenjin Shrine Puzzle

Both my Dad & Hubby are puzzle fanatics. But still, that wouldn't justify me spending $148 on this gorgeous wooden jigsaw puzzle from Anthropologie, would it? It is amazing, though - the pieces are absolutely gorgeous, if you zoom in and take a look: butterflies, dancing couples in ball gowns and suits, intricate star shapes - lovely!

Take a look...

I Like This Boy

Seriously. He's really awesome.

{Mickey jammies courtesy of Uncle Sam + Aunt Jess - thanks guys! How cute does he look in 'em?!}

Cleaning Out My File Box

My Google reader has more starred blog posts than I care to count. See, the point of my blog is to be my online file box - the place I store the fun things I find, so I can find them again when I need them. But I've been slacking on the blog...have you noticed? And my files are overflowing. So over the coming days and weeks, I'll be attempting to go thru and post my favorite things from the blog o' sphere of late.

After I post more pics of my newborn babe, of course...

Lame Sense of Humor: Blame It On Genetics

I always find myself laughing hysterically at jokes others roll their eyes at. But I'm fine with that - because I know in most cases, my Dad would really appreciate the humor. See, a dorky sense of humor is an inherited trait - genetics and all. For example, I laughed about this doormat for a good 20 minutes, and I'd totally buy it for my Dad if I thought my Mom would let him put it out front:

I love it! The Wireless Catalog has lots of silly stuff that's right up my alley. For example, I'd love to buy this shirt for my "deep thinking" younger brother:

And this one for my big brother Chris, because, in the words of Karen Walker..."It's funny 'cause it's true.".

My only quibble with The Wireless Catalog is that you can't "borrow" their photos - hence, the lovely scanned photos...ah well.

Little Campers

Chris took the big kids camping on Friday night, and they had a blast! What's not to like? Unlimited marshmallows and sleeping in a tent?! Yes, please! Simon and I had a camp-out of our own - 12 hours straight in bed! Of course, he was up ever 3 hours to eat, but then right back to sleep. I'll take it! We've had 2 nights in a row of that business and are hoping it continues...

Saturday was spent de-campfiring the family - laundry, laundry, laundry. Maya and I had a "date" to Wal Mart and we went for a family drive in the afternoon, followed by breakfast for dinner at Jim's diner - yum!

Today was the Primary children's program at church, which is always fun. All of the kids were so cute, and I was so proud of Maya - she got right up and said her part and was singing all the songs. She even let me put curls in her hair!

Life with 3 is starting to feel more "normal". I'm going to try my best to get my act together here in the next couple of weeks. First up? Lots of laundry to catch up on, getting this house organized a little better, writing millions of thank-you notes, cooking my own meals...etc. I'm also hoping to get together with some friends this week and talk to some actual grown-ups! What a concept!

Hope you have a great week!

Instructions For Mom

Chris is taking Maya & Mason camping this weekend, and they're beyond excited. In fact, it's all they talk about. Maya has been hard at work making lists: packing list, food list, activity list, etc. Tonight she handed me these care instructions for Vida while she's gone. Apparently, I'm supposed to give Vida 3 food pellets in the morning and three at night. Pretty clear, huh? I love that girl.

"Him's My Boy" - And Other Things I'm Grateful For...

Today Mason joined me on the bed as I was yet again feeding Mr. Simon. Mason leaned in to kiss his brother just as Simon let out a big ol' burp - which pleased and cracked up Mason endlessly. "Him's my boy!", he exclaimed. How sweet is that? I know this transition has been a little tough on Mason - understandably so! But really, for the most part, he's doing really great. And I know as time passes, he'll be so grateful to have a brother to...you know, call his "boy"!

I've been continually adding to a "thank-you" card list over the past two weeks, and mercy me, it's getting really long! I was thinking about it today as I added "Michelle - loaf of bread" to the list: not a day has gone by since Simon was born that someone hasn't been added to the thank-you list. There have been dinners (have I mentioned?). Cakes. Flowers. Birthday gifts for me. Baby gifts for Simon. Sibling gifts for Maya & Mason. Treats. More dinners. Cards. E-mails. Phone calls. Blog & Facebook comments & encouragement (thank you!). Not to mention the fact that my sweet mother has been coming over every morning and spending half the day here. Feeding the big kids breakfast so I can sleep a little longer. Driving Maya to preschool. Holding the baby while I shower. Helping me with my errands. Calling to check up on us. She's been a HUGE help.

I feel so truly blessed to be surrounded by such a supportive, amazing group of people. My life feels just like an illustration of "bearing one another burdens" right now. Which not only makes me feel so grateful, it makes me want to be a better person. I can't wait to get back into the swing of things and start looking for opportunities to do some of the bearing of the burdens of others. But for right now, I'm just so grateful to have my load so lightened.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. (PS - you're probably on the "thank you" list. And someday, I'll even get all those cards written!)

Better Than Ever

Both my boys are looking bigger and better than ever. Simon is 1 1/2 weeks old and still sweet. He does have that one fussy time...in the middle of the night, of course. But considering his fussy consists mostly of grunting and twitching instead of screaming non-stop for hours on end, we hardly hold it against him!

Mason is growing into his position as big brother. He seems like he's doubled in size in the past 2 weeks, but I don't suppose that's possible. He loves 'da "bay-bay", he wants to see 'da bay-bay, hold 'da bay-bay, kiss 'da bay-bay. He's also a tad on the whiny and needy side, but just a tad. He's rolling with the punches, making a big transition - I'm proud of him!

Man, I do love my boys. {And my girl, too!}

A Little Birdie Told Me...

I'm loving all things bird lately. These holiday salad plates would be a great complement to the red + silver holiday dishes I already have.

While browsing I also came across these. Ooh, lala! These would be the perfect replacement for the worn-out plain-white Ikea dishes that we've had forever. Cute!

Ratatouille Soup

I believe I've mentioned how very, very much I've been enjoying the lovely meals my lovely friends have been bringing in since Simon was born. Can I just say YUM?! There's been homemade bread, cookies, brownies, soups, tacos, gingerbread (!), stews, homemade honeybutter, pies...ooh, baby! It's all been delicious and so very, completely appreciated.

Chris especially appreciated the soup our friend Jen made for us - it was right up his alley and absolutely delicious. Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from Jen - she's one of those super-together super-women who always amazes me with how easy she makes it all look - and she's Mama of five! Check out this delicious recipe for Ratatouille Soup here, and be sure to explore her food blog Yummy Fun when you have a moment - there's lots o' delicious looking stuff there!

Jane Austen Action Figure

I can feel myself about to go on a Jane Austen kick here soon, thanks to watching Bridget Jones on Lifetime the other day, I suppose. Oh, Colin Firth, how I love you. It won't be long before I'm busting out my Pride & Prejudice DVDs and adding Persuasion to my Netflix queue. And I so need this Jane action figure for some watch-along fun. And to help me with my "What would Jane do" moments.

To Brighten Your Day

I've been searching {Okay, casually searching...I'm laaaazy when it comes to home decor...} for a suitable light fixture in our dining-room-turned-playroom to replace the oh-so gaudy shiny gold fixture that has been there since we moved in almost 4 years ago. And at last, I think I've found it! Cute, right? Love the colors, love the concept.

Not sure I want to drop $300 for it, though. Curse you, Pottery Barn!

Baby (+Other) Randomness

• I hate the time change! It seriously takes a month to adjust every time we switch. And I hate that it's 5:30 and already dark.
• Simon is one good smelling baby. Oh, if I could bottle it up and sell it. Wait, sell it?! No way. Actually, I would keep it all for me.
• Mason is officially a giant. I knew that would happen, but was in denial. He seems SO HUGE!
• Chris is the best daddy & hubby ever. I am really not looking forward to letting him go to work tomorrow. I will probably be hanging on his leg sobbing as he tries to leave. But I suppose we have to get on with "real life" eventually...
• Some people are so thoughtful. When we got a package in the mail today from our friends John & Shirley addressed to Mason Cottam, I thought, "Good, looks like I'm not the only one who can't seem to call Simon by the correct name.". Turns out, it was for Mason - a little coloring set for him, congratulating him on becoming a big brother. How sweet is that? It was the first time someone had singled out just him in this whole process, and he was just so thrilled.
• My "big kids" are wild maniacs. One on one, they are sweet as can be, but they are quite the terrible twosome together. I'm hoping I can handle them and the baby all on my own...I have a feeling they will be ganging up on me.
  
• Having people bring me meals is the best part of having a baby besides the actual baby. Man oh man, my friends can cook! What a treat! I'm so very grateful for that help. Maya loves it, too. Every day she asks "Who's bringing us dinner tonight, Mommy?". Of course she's excited. It means she's not getting cereal or hot dogs for a change!
• I'm so happy that this election is almost over. I just can't stand all the negativity.
• QVC is a new Mama's best friend. I had forgotten all the hours I spent watching QVC when Mason was a newborn. And since I'm sidelined and unable to fulfill my weekly quota of window shopping, it really hits the spot. Plus, it provides just the right amount of light for nighttime feedings and you don't need the volume on to appreciate all of the really strange products there are out there.
  
• Simon checked out well at the doctor's yesterday. He's already up to 9 pounds, which made his Daddy proud. My kids are always impressive weight gainers. Knock on wood.
• I lost a friend to a long battle with breast cancer last week. Her funeral is Friday and she leaves behind a husband and 3 little girls. It's so hard to understand why things like that happen. It makes me want to squeeze my family a little tighter.
  
• It is my 31st birthday on Saturday. 31! Wow. No, I will not be celebrating with a big ol' bash this year! I figure Simon is gift enough. I can play it low key for once and make up for it next year.
  

Pee Pee Tee Pee

My favorite gal Natalie sent some Pee Pee Tee Pees for Baby Simon! These are so hilarious. And, oh, how many times we could have used these already! Simon has taken more than one bath in his own pee...and I'm sure it will happen again...and again...and again!

We're the proud owners of the striped tee pees.

Also available in ultra-manly camo...

...or my personal fave, Santa-style.

Get 'em here. Thanks, Nat!

Cowboy Socks

My brother Chris and his family (okay, let's be honest here, my sister-in-law Tara picked these out, I'm sure!) sent the cutest li'l set of cowboy socks for baby Simon! How cute are these? Perfect for my little Texas baby!

Thanks, guys!

Big Sister

Maya absolutely adores Simon. She's such a great big sis. When she's not doting on Simon, she's helping me out by playing with Mason. She's been such a trooper with all the change and not getting all the attention she might like. I love that girl!

We are all tired but are enjoying our first few days with Mr. Simon. He's incredibly sweet. So snuggley. With yummy little feet and toes for kissing. He checked out nicely at the doctor's office today, hooray! We're just enjoying life, napping when we can and feeling lucky. Thanks for all your kind words! What a blessing to have so many people excited about our little guy. You guys are awesome...

Simon Christopher Cottam

Simon Christopher Cottam
Born Wednesday, October 29, 2008
at 5:59pm
8 pounds, 11 ounces
21 1/4 inches

Little Simon is here! The nurses were worried about him right off the bat because he just wasn't crying very enthusiastically when he came out. Further inspection showed a pnumothorax, so he was treated with oxygen for a few hours. After lots of poking and prodding, 2 x-rays, and talk of transferring him to the children's hospital, it was determined that he was doing okay. After 5 hours, I finally got to hold my baby!

Day two was uneventful, and we were so excited to go home Friday morning. Unfortunately, Mr. Simon was suddenly very jaundiced, so we weren't able to go home right away. Instead, we started to supplement his feedings with formula. At 5pm he was tested again and we were given the green light to head home!

Mason was so in love with Simon off the bat! I was amazed at how cute he was with him. "He's so TINY!", he would squeal. It was just adorable. (I still have no good photos of Maya & Simon - she's not much for cooperation in the photo department...)

Daddy is as in love with his boy as the rest of us are. Simon is about as sweet as they come so far. We are knocking on wood that it's not just a temporary state! :) He's absolutely wonderful.

Once the nurse told us we could leave, we were dressed and out the door in about 10 minutes! We didn't want to miss Halloween with the kiddos!

We made it home, fed Mr. Simon and Chris headed out with Maya and Mason for trick or treating. Maya made it to one house and wanted to come home. (She had been looking pretty pale beforehand...) She took a bath, threw up, climbed into bed and was asleep about 2 minutes later. Mason made it around to a few houses and then he was done for, too. So much for Halloween 2008! Well, luckily it comes around every year...

Today so far, Simon had his first at-home sponge bath, has wet at least 5 onesies, has napped and eaten like a champ, and has been mauled by his brother and sister. Good times!

So far, so good. We feel so blessed to have this little guy here with us. He's amazing.