Life Update

Because I know you all wait with baited breath to find out what's going on in my life. ;)

We're closing on our house next week.  Yippee!!  But-we're still waiting for a date on both signings. Boo!  But-it's next week sometime.  The house looks like a big disaster thanks to all the boxes.  An even bigger (and much less sarcastic) thanks to my man for packing them.  He noted the other night that he would be single-handedly moving us because his wife can't manage to put down that sweet little monkey long enough to help pack a box.  Secretly, I think he's proud of the fact that he's done it all. Shhh...don't tell...

See why I can't put her down?  She's so squishy and cute and snugly!

I, unlike lots of other people, am loving all the snow.  Of course it helps that my kids are off track and I have a new baby and therefore am home bound.  I can snuggle my babe and look out my big windows from my couch at all that beautiful white stuff.  No bundling the kids up for school (which is good because most our winter wear is packed up and buried in storage). 

Other than being a little tired, my post baby self is feeling pretty darn good.  I'm happy.  I have energy.  I can button up my jeans.   Actually-I could button up my jeans 2 days after being home from the hospital.  And guess what?  I'm not one bit sorry and am quite pleased with it.  This is my 4th baby.  I would've thought my recovery would've been longer and a little harder than it's been especially with the added stress of selling our home, buying a new one, getting 6 people ready to move (oh wait-we've already established that as the man's job) and the holidays-Thanksgiving, Black Friday (what?  you don't consider that a holiday?) and Christmas.  By the time the new year rolls around, you may be finding me lying on a couch weeping to a therapist, though ;)

And speaking of the great holiday (at least in my opinion) called Black Friday-I definitely had a successful one!  I went with Cami and her mom and cousin.  Cami was a rookie.  She wanted to go to Toys 'r Us.  Me, being the more experienced Black Friday-er should've warned her of the horror that store can be, but I had only heard the stories.  I guess I wanted to see that particular brand of madness first hand.  Never. Again. The finding what you want part was just fine.  It was the line that would put Splash mtn's on the busiest hottest day at Disneyland to shame. Thankfully Cami decided it wasn't worth it and we left.  She was rewarded by finding the same item for the same price at walmart without having to ad-match.  We had lots of good fun at both the Payson and Springville WalMarts.  I was thrilled to come home with everything on my must-get list, everything on my it'd-be-nice-but-I-don't-stand-a-chance list and a few other fun things as well.  I think we put in a solid 12 hours of shopping.  Still not quite ready for Christmas, but I'm getting there.  Fortunately I can do almost everything else online.

Just in case...

Just in case you were wondering...

Showbiz is my current favorite album by Muse.

Christmas Songs by Jars of Clay is my absolute, all time favorite Christmas album.

And, though I love the group Travis, and though listening to the lead singer Fran speak may or may not make me swoon, I do not love his new hair.  Don't worry Franny.  I still {heart} you.

 What random things are you thinking of today?

My Little Seamstress

Lyndsi has recently taken an interest in learning to sew.  In August I finally got around to helping her get started.  She made her first little project-a purse for Sophie. (Which Sophie happens to really love.)  My mom took a day off earlier this week to come hang out with me and the kids (aka the new baby).  McKay ended up playing with a friend and Sophie wandered off to do her own thing. The baby was sleeping as all good week old babies do, so mom and I decided to teach Lyndsi some more sewing.  I actually had a simple tote project all ready to go, and seeing as it was something I was doing for a Christmas name-gift for her cousin (Marchants-no spoiling our name gift!!) I thought it'd be perfect for her to do.  And bonus I figure we can use it for an activity day goal.  (Assuming we ever find/replace her book.)

Lyndsi started out using this book and tracing the pattern piece and cutting it out.  I believe she may have even helped G'ma cut the pattern pieces from fabric, too.

These things seem to be much easier if Grandma is here to tag team with me.

This is me trying to be creative and catch a candid shot of Lyndsi.  Not easy to do.  She always looks up right before I take the picture. 

Lyndsi did almost all of the sewing herself including sewing on the webbing handles and the velcro closures.  I only sewed the bottom of the bag and put the lining and outer bag together. She worked really hard on this and did an amazing job.  You should see her seams!  The girl is a natural.

Here's the finished project:

She's already got 2 or 3 more planned out for other gifts and possibly one for herself.  She's pretty darn proud of herself and her work.  I must say that I am too. You go girl!!

(This one is a little less "mom's caught in the act")

The Last Week or So

Wow.  The last week and a half have been a whirlwind of activity.  Any time there's a new baby in the house that's bound to happen, but there's more.  Here's the list view of life at the Maynes' since Chloe was born.

Mon Nov. 8-Chloe was born; realtor called to show our house the next morning
Tues-Potential buyer from Monday makes offer; we counter.
Wed-Come home from hospital; Buyer accepts counter-we're officially under contract
Thurs-We start looking at homes
Friday-Chloe's first Dr. visit to double check bilirubin levels (just fine); Find home; make offer.
Saturday-New sellers counter
Monday-We accept.

Phew...I'm tired just thinking of it all!  It has been crazy, a little overwhelming and at times emotional.  However, we're very happy and feel that the timing is not just coincidence.  We've also been very blessed with a great ward, friends and family who have helped ease burdens this last week.  I'm looking forward to the new house, but will miss a lot of things about this one.  I am excited that we'll be in before Christmas.  I guess I better go pack a box or two now. 

Baby Chloe

I love this kid.  She is an absolute angel.  Chloe is just a sweet and content little girl.  Mom and dad can't get enough of her. Neither can her sisters (especially Sophie who is completely fascinated by her).  Even McKay loves her to pieces.  In fact, I think he's the one who asks to hold her the most. :)  She's a good little eater and a fabulous little sleeper.  Mom and Dad are really enjoying that part!   I'm sure it's with a huge thanks to being bottle fed, but she's only getting up once a night to eat.  Definitely manageable.  We've been so busy cuddling and oohing and ahhing over her we haven't stopped to take many pictures.  But, last night was her first at-home bath, so we did get a few after when she was all sparkly, baby-fresh clean.  (They're a little dark, but I'm too tired too mess with them in photoshop right now.  Maybe later. )

This is the cute little lip I was first greeted with when I held her right after delivery.  I was happy to see it reappear for me again.  Too cute.



She really didn't love her bath.  Especially the part where we actually had to wash her.  Little did she know that she still had to have ...gasp!...lotion put on.  (Really didn't like that, even though we made sure it wasn't cold)



Thankfully the girl will take a binky!



All better.  Clean, moisturized and the bottle is on it's way!



Keep on going for a few pix from the hospital.  Just saw that I had some I hadn't published yet. Enjoy!

Baby Pictures

Just a few pictures of my cute little baby. :)





The siblings.



My baby holding my baby.  She is so excited to be a big sister!

Getting ready to go home.



Time to go home!!



She's Here!

Welcome 

Chloe Carol Maynes

Monday November 8, 2010

11:48 a.m.

7 lb 8 oz and 19.5 inches 

Halloween

What?!  A non-baby, non-house post?  I'm as shocked as you. ;)

Really, though, Halloween weekend was great.  Friday the kids had their costume parade and parties at school.

Saturday was trick-or-treating.




(a witch, a skeleton, and Silvermist-minus her wings)



Around 8 or so i got a text from Jeff relaying a cute little conversation he and Soph had. 

J: Are you about ready to go home?

S: Not until my bucket is full to the top!

And guess what?  When they came home a little later, all three buckets were "full to the top."   Jeff and I tried to show her that she had set a goal and reached it and congratulated her.  She didn't get it. :) 

Sunday we had a family party at my Aunt Michele's house.  There was tons of food, games and some indoor trick-or-treating. 

Now it's Nov. 1. On to Christmas shopping and baby-having!