Hot mess

After a good playground date and time well spent digging and playing this morning in a very wet sandbox, all you need is an apple and your skivvies to unwind.

From this point forward, I'll keep a swimsuit and a change of clothes in the diaper bag should we encounter any other wet and/or messy places that need our attention.

This is the life.

Getting ready

One by one, I'm getting things checked off my list.  Yesterday afternoon, after much deliberation and Internet searching, I ordered our double stroller.  It's the Graco Quattro Tour Duo Stroller (see picture below) in the Zurich color combination.  Madelyn and I discussed it and we decided she would ride in front while Brother rode in the back.  At least, that's the plan for now. 

For a long time, I thought I wanted the double BOB.  I LOVE our single BOB and have been so happy with it.  But, after having a double BOB for a weekend and realizing how massive it is (It barely fit in the trunk of my Outback wagon!), I started to move away from the double BOB.  Plus, for what the double BOB costs, I'm not sure I could get all my money's worth out of it.  So, the Graco stroller it is!

My hairdresser laughed at me the other night and informed me that I'm definitely nesting.  I found a floor cleaner for the tile and have mopped several times.  Am finally almost at peace with all the tile on our first floor.  Griff installed the shelves in Brother's closet last night.  They look great!  He designed and built them even better than what I initially requested!  (Today, he'll do Madelyn's closet as well.)  Brother's nightstand from IKEA arrived and is assembled.  I just might be able to bring a baby home to this room.  Oh, and at least one of the car seats will be installed this weekend so that if "Thundercats are go!" we'll be street legal.







And, now I must go show my paws and play helicopter or balls on the stairs with Madelyn and Daddy.  Yes, we play on the steps.  I guess I'm a little more relaxed than I used to be.  :)

Anderson, Anderson, & Anderson

Last Friday was my last official day at Pura Vida.  It was supposed to have been the previous week but they asked me to stay on a little longer so I committed to one extra week.  After a short and fast weekend, including several WONDERFUL Mother's Day get togethers with family, I started my new job at Anderson, Anderson, & Anderson on Monday.

For those of you who don't know, I have taken on the full time role as VP of Household Operations and presently supervise one individual.  We're staffing up within the next 30 days though and I'll be adding a second supervisee before too long.  We may have to apply for a trade name change because Anderson, Anderson, Anderson, and Anderson is just too long.  Perhaps, Anderson & Co?  I'm just not sure.

Our transition has gone well.  Monday was a long day which included a 3-1/2 hour nap by Madelyn that I cut off at 430P.  But, we've had a good week and are developing our new routine.  Yes, our new routine will be adjusted as the newest Anderson comes on board but hopefully I'm helping to make Madelyn's adjustment that much easier.  And, in spite of the increased noise, I think Griff even enjoys having us around.

New rooms

This the first day we have two kids' rooms.

The furniture shuffle that occurred this morning went quickly and well.  Thank you, Uncle Graham, for all your help in getting everything moved.  We really appreciated it!

We contemplated leaving the crib on the low setting so that if the transition to twin bed went horribly wrong, we'd have an out.  But, after asking Madelyn if we should leave the crib on the low setting or put it on the newborn setting, she answered, "Newborn," so that's what we did.  She was a good helper and still seems okay with all the change.

The crib in Little Brother's room.  His room is on the northeast corner of the house so it gets nice sunlight in the afternoon.  We're re-using Madelyn's initial bedding since it's boy bedding, and relatively neutral, anyway.

The lamp is my inspiration piece for the room.  (It's probably the nicest lamp in our entire house, too.)  I'm a sucker for Pottery Barn Kids.

Changing table / dresser moved in as well.  I'll probably need to take the "It's a girl!" pillow off the knob before Little Brother moves in in a month or two.

Madelyn's new bed!  The bedroom furniture was mine growing up but the bedding is all hers.  I'm glad we'll be able to use the furniture for her for now.  I joke that I'm a designer in training but I'm learning as I go.  The sheets match her curtains.  Before bath tonight, we hung up her fairies.  Belinda, Fiona, and Vistica (not pictured here) are hung over her bed....high enough that she'd REALLY have to jump to reach them.



I wasn't able to get very many shots of Madelyn's room in the afternoon.  Her room is on the southwest corner of the house so by the afternoon, the sun isn't as bright.  And, I was having technical difficulties with the camera's flash.  I apologize but will try to get more pictures and post soon.

Definitely feeling more settled.

The movers

Our crew of movers - Griff, Tulo (Madelyn), and Uncle Graham.  Madelyn REALLY wanted to ride in the van but I'm pretty sure that it's neither legal nor safe.

Thank you, Uncle Graham, for all your help.  We really appreciated it!

This weekend's activities

Team Anderson has a big weekend planned.

Actually a pretty nice little Saturday, we're going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time.  (Thank you, Will Ferrell!)

Saturday, we have Madelyn's 1-year photo shoot (a year late) with our wedding photographer, Jen, from Candy Apple Photography.  If you haven't seen her website -- http://www.candyapplephotography.com/ -- you should visit it.  The little girl front and center on her home page will look familiar!  We also are doing a maternity shoot.  Our outfits are all coordinated so I'm sure with Jen's skillful eye, we'll get some great pictures out of both shoots.

Sunday, Griff and Uncle Graham are going to do some furniture moving.  My single lady, pre-Griff bed is going over to Honey and Poppie's house.  In return, we are bringing home my young lady, childhood furniture for little miss muffin.  That will become hers to grow into.  And, finally, the crib and nursery furniture will move to Little Brother's room.

Slowly but surely, we are getting settled in the new house.  This weekend's activities will definitely help with that process as well as make Little Brother's arrival that much more real.  (That and when people ask me if I have the nursery all set up, when I say, "No," and laugh, I won't look like such a crazy woman...at least not for that!)

Will post pictures once we have the rooms organized.

Happy Friday!

Tid bit

I might have one of the sweetest little girls in the world for my daughter.

Last night, we were reading Skippyjon Jones before bed.  Little brother was wiggling around and pushing in my tummy.  Without thinking about it, I started rubbing my belly.  Madelyn noticed and started rubbing it, too.  Then I let her feel where he was pushing and she gently rubbed.  So sweet.

Everyone tells me she'll be a good big sister and I think she will, too.  I'm sure there will be moments when she wants to return him and go back to being an only child.  But, I'm excited to see how our family dynamic will change in a few short weeks.

Daddy's little helper

One thing I learned in college is that when you have chili, you must have cinnamon rolls to go with them.  In our house, I make the chili.  On this particular day, Madelyn and Griff made the cinnamon rolls.

Fine, so we don't "make" the cinnamon rolls.  Pillsbury does but they're still tasty and made with love.  And, when no one's looking, Madelyn can sneak some cinnamon off the rolls and lick her fingers in delight.

Our new house

We close on February 22 and move the next day.  It's closer to Grammy and Grandad AND Honey and Poppie.  We're very excited and will have plenty of room for visitors.  Of course, we'll miss all the friends we've made in Stapleton but we're still close enough for zoo and play dates and look forward to all the memories we'll make in this house.