Procrastination. . .and pumping

Yesterday I sat in a continuing legal education seminar.  Eight hours in a Holiday Inn Select conference room.  It was rather brutal.  Especially with an eight week old baby with a sitter at home (Side note- this is when I went back to work with Dell Harper.  No wonder I cried for two weeks every morning in the elevator!).

However, I have hours to be done before the end of the year, and have waited until the last possible moment, per usual.

Anyway, I was texting with a friend about how I was just dreading pumping in the handicapped stall of the public bathroom, or in my cold car.  She mentioned that she saw on the Today show a segment about a woman needing to pump during a meeting and the hotel gave her a room.

I tentatively asked the desk clerk if there was a place I could pump. . .

Lo and behold! She quickly gave me a key to the nearest open room without any questions! It was so kind and convenient.

So PSA for all of you people like myself who don't plan real good. . . if you are stuck in a conference room needing to pump, just ask!  This might be common knowledge, but in (almost) 5 years of motherhood, this is a first for me!

Now for a cute picture of said children-

HO, HO, HO!

Holly, Jolly Haze

Oh, I love this time of year, yet am exhausted by it!  How about a photo dump to get me back into the blogging swing of things?

 We had a great Thanksgiving- Morgan's sister and brother-in-law and their kids came in town, and we were joined by my brother, sister-in-law and their two little girls at my parents.

 My sous chefs were hard at work, crushing cracker crumbs, and rolling out pie crusts.

 Then after whipping up cinnamon whipped cream, licking the beaters.

 The kids were in seventh heaven having their teenage cousins here.  I too, was in heaven, having all the extra hands.  I am so thankful that I just adore Morgan's family.  If they could be here every weekend, I would be thrilled.  That's why I'm pushing for my niece to come to UT next fall.  Plus, you know, I always love some babysitting. . .ha!

 Deeds wore one red rain boot and one yellow rain boot to Thanksgiving dinner.  He wanted to mix it up.

In other momentous news, I managed to push both kids in the double stroller and have Tommy in the baby Bjorn for two laps around my house.  You know, about half a mile, ha!  I was worn out!

 That's about a hundred pounds of kid.  I'm back jazzing too, which is exciting.

Let's see, Christmas activities are in full swing.  Dell Harper and Deeds had a marvelous time at the church's family advent workshop.

Tommy chilled throughout, which was very helpful.

Dell Harper got to go to a gingerbread house party, which was a blast.  Check out her masterpiece.

Naughty

 And nice!

The big kids helped me decorate the tree.  This was rather  stressful and non-helpful, but also wildly entertaining and sweet.

 Said tree is still half decorated, but I will get the"grown-up" fragile ones up eventually.

Hey there, Tommy!  He did an excellent job supervising.

 We are all still enraptured with Mr. Tommy.  He has started smiling, especially at his brother and sister.  Dell Harper said "Mommy, I wonder why he loves us so much more than you?", since he smiled at them first and more frequently.  Harrumph to all of that.

Deeds really loves his "little guy", as he calls Tommy.  They melt my heart.

Hmm, what else?  Dell Harper and I helped host a mother daughter holiday tea again this year.  No choking on cookies occurred, so that was good.  She was thrilled that "Santa Claus' woman" (aka how DH refers to Mrs. Claus), was there.

Okay, time to dash off to pickup kiddos.  And I have to wake the baby up to do so!  Brutal!! Excuse the lack of grammar and run-on sentences.  My thoughts are just completely run-on right now! Ha!

Five on Friday

Good morning, gals!  I had big plans for this to be up first thing this morning, but then there was a 3 week old baby that just needed to be snuggled.  

But now, random things I was thinking about at 4 AM.

1.  Loft Modern Kick Crop Jean

 I normally am not a jean person.  I think they are uncomfortable, and have issues with length, hemming, etc.  These are great!  I nabbed them during a 3 AM online LOFT shopping spree when everything was 60% off.  They were $14!!  Now they are up to $30- still a deal.  SO flattering, and comfortable.  Perfect for running around with my kiddos, or to dress up when I'm finally ready to leave the house after dark.

2.  Quarterlane Books

If anyone is looking for a Christmas present for moi- look no further!  A subscription box that I can finally get into- BOOKS!  Check out the link- isn't it fancy?  Fancy book delivery service.  I'm sold.

3.  The Podster

 Hi there, baby burrito!  I bought this contraption with Deeds, but want to remind everyone how awesome it is!  Tommy agrees- he is happiest chilling in the sling center of a giant pillow donut.  Why do they not make it adult sized?  If you need a baby gift, or are about to have a baby, get it right now!

4.  The Good Place

Are y'all watching?  You should- it's weird, happy and hysterical.  Just a great 22 minutes- which is about all my overtaxed brain can currently handle.

5.  Fall Fun

 My little dinos at the church parade- last year's costumes (didn't want to mess up this year's yet).

Pumpkin painting!   This was both fun and extremely stressful, ha!  Notice the open front door?  Tommy is right inside, chilling in the swing.  First kid?  I would have been clutching the monitor.  Third?  We'll open the door and keep an ear out.  Sweet little baby.

Speaking of sweet little babies, mine apparently is ready to be snuggled again by the sound of the little cries coming from the swing.  Thanks to the Five on Friday ladies as always!!

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I'm Back, Baby!

Hey, guess what?  We have a new baby BOY in our house!

 And we are pretty darn excited about Baby Tommy (as Deeds calls him) or Tommy Bromley (as DH formally refers to him).

 We took the kids to school 2 Fridays ago, then headed to the hospital for my third (and final) c-section.  I swore up and down that this baby was a girl, so I was just shocked to my core (AND DELIGHTED) to have another boy.

Especially one named after this guy. (as well as Morgan's uncle and grandfather- the Thomas's run strong in our families).

The big kids really just adore him- it took DH a little bit to get over the lack of sister thing- she's a little upset at how outnumbered we are.  I assured her whenever we get a puppy playmate for Buddy it will be a girl dog.  She feels better.

 They LOVE when his eyes are open- a frequent occurrence now that we're getting out of that first 2 week pet rock stage.  Also, we are getting into the reflux/colic cry constantly stage that DH excelled at- luckily I got to bypass it with Deeds.  Fortunately, this ain't my first time at the reflux rodeo, so he's already on meds.

 I love this picture- although I wish DH did not have a blue forehead thanks to chalk at school.

We are getting into our schedule and groove, which feels great.  Also?  I am feeling fabulous by the sheer fact of no longer being pregnant!  It was a rough one, but I am so thankful to have this precious, miraculous gift. Who is chunking up quite nicely- born 7 lb. 13 oz., dropped down to about 7 lb. 2 oz. in the hospital, and is already at 8+ pounds!  Way to go Tommy-boy!

I will be back with mini-pumpkin pie recipe (from Highlights magazine, LOL), some book reviews, and various other updates now that I have broken the seal on opening my computer, ha!

Down to the (BABY!!) Wire

Get ready for a lot of pictures!

 We had a great time celebrating Morgan's birthday- the kids and I made a yellow sheet cake with dark chocolate icing, courtesy of the always wonderful and oh-so reliable, Ina Garten.  Recipe here.

Then last weekend was a whirlwind- after taking the kids to the zoo, and Walmart during the previous week without going into labor, I decided to cram everything in I can before this baby gets here.

 We went to Greekfest Friday night.  The kids ADORED riding a "BIG ORANGE SCHOOL BUS!!" from the parking area to the Greek Orthodox church.  Deeds then had zero interest in dancing and playing- he just wanted to ride that bus again.

All these buddies had a great time on the dance floor.  I had a great time eating food.  Lots of it.

 Deeds was thrilled to run through the tunnel Saturday morning for big sister's final soccer game of the season.

Saturday afternoon a babysitter arrived, so we could go watch the UGA-UT game in relative peace.  I was, as always pretty neutral.  I look at that game as a win-win for me.  I look normal from the front, I swear- but check out that side view.  Whoa, mama!

Everyone around these parts was pretty excited by the last second Hail Mary pass for the Vols to win. I was relieved that this baby wouldn't come into the world with an extremely depressed father.

I tried to get one nice picture with me and the kids before church.  Not happening apparently.  My life is already chaos, and only getting nuttier.

So today was one last jazz class (here with one of my fave instructors), Walmart, planting my containers, putting sheets, bumpers, etc. on the crib, doing last minute loads of laundry, and making some chili for dinner.

Tomorrow morning we take the kiddos to school then head to the hospital!  That tickles me to no end.  I am still thinking girl, but cannot WAIT to find out.  What's your guess?

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